Author Note:
So I have come to realize that 1) It has been too long since I last updated, and 2) that I may have confused some readers on where Rori lives. She does not live in Australia, the moon pool where she lives is just similar to that one. Rori lives in New Orleans, Louisiana, she just has not told them that though, just that she's from a place called Lousiana.
Chapter 3 - A Place to Stay
A rush of cold ran up my spine and flooded my face. The people here spoke English, but they didn't appear to know a thing about where I was from. At first I thought it was just Louisiana they didn't know, or maybe they knew the United States by a different name. But I had no such luck when I spoke to their leader, or the man who owned all the land here.
"America?" A shake of the head or confused look. Maybe I would try other countries. "Well what about Germany?" Still a no. "The United Kingdom?" They knew nothing of where I was from or anything related to it. I wanted to scream at myself to wake up, to just snap out of whatever nightmare this was and to wake up. They could see my distress, and I wanted to cry. I never felt more lost in my life, it was worse than the first time I fell into the moon pool. I wanted this to not be real, but the wind on my back, the aching in my limps from what I can assume was a long swim; or perhaps it was sleeping on the ground, and the headache forming was proof of the current situation. This was real, it was not a dream in a dream, it was not fake.
"Child, if you are truly so lost you may stay here." I looked up at the concerned and oddly kind eyes of the dark haired man, the one the clones had called "father". I wanted to say no, to say that I would just find a city or find my way home but I felt like there was a rock settling in my stomach. A bad feeling washed over me, as if it would be a bad choice to decline the offer. But regardless it didn't feel right to live off of someone else expense free.
"I… I can't pay you to stay, and I don't know if I ever will be able to. I… I don't even know when I will be able to find my way home. I don't want to cause you any more trouble."
"These are troubling times young one, I cannot make you stay if it is not what you wish to do. However, I could not in good conscious send someone so young out into the danger in the wilderness. I ask nothing of your stay, you would be a guest to our people."
That was where the conversation seemed to end, concrete in the resolve of the kind people here.
I was walked to a hall where they said the guest rooms were shortly after meeting with the man they called Lord Elrond. There were two women, different ones than the two brunettes that had been in the clone's company when I was taken here. The two girls also had the same trait of pointed ears, but they were… Fairer perhaps? Their skin was flawless and very pale in contrast with their black hair. The first girl wore a long flowing cotton dress, it was a pale blue color. Her hair was in a braid that fell down over her right shoulder and covered her right breast before ending just below her rip cage. The second woman also wore a dress, but hers had two layers. A light green cotton underdress with additional brown fabric over it. Her hair had two braids that started at her ears and went back into a half ponytail like braid, while the rest of her obsidian hair fell down to her lower back.
As I walked behind them in silence I could feel the moister in the air changing, as I looked out the decorative arches I saw the sky slowing showing signs of rain soon. A small gust of wind blew against my arm and I shivered. One of the women, the one in the light blue, glanced over at me. Her green eyes studying me for a moment. She offered me a smile which I hesitantly returned, I was never good in awkward social situations.
"Lord Elrond told us of your situation, Miss. If you have any questions you may approach one of us to ask for help. We can help draw you a bath and get you cleaned up if you wish." The green eyed woman said softly, the other girl nodded to confirm her agreeance on the terms.
"Um, thank you… Um…"
"I am Vanya," The woman in the green and brown dress said, then continued. "-and this is Eleniel." She motioned to the one who had been speaking to me previously.
"Thank you, you can call me Rori, you don't need to call me Miss." I was a bit quiet, my throat felt tight. It wasn't in a way that made it difficult for me to breathe, but I was on edge. I wanted to cry, I was scared too. How long could I really stay here, and what do I tell my parents? Not just that but I felt like I was some sort of freak, well more than just a merfreak. Some people discretely stared at me or tried to only glance at me a few times. While there were others that openly stared. I suppose I looked out of place. My hair felt a bit fluffy right now, I was wearing baggy blue cotton pajama pants, and a short sleeve jewel collared shirt with a drawing of an anime character on it. All the women I seen so far were wearing dresses or tight fitting pants and tunics. The men were in tunics and tight pants, or they were in formal wear, or elegant robes. Some, like the clones and the man in their company were cloaks over their shoulders as well. Then, as if reading my mind Eleniel spoke up once again.
"Miss Rori," At least it wasn't just "Miss" anymore, maybe we just need to work on informally addressing one another. "If you would like we can draw a bath and get you some proper clothing for a young lady such as yourself." I glanced down at myself. There was grass stains on my pant legs, not only that but I'm sure there was grass on my back, pants, arms, hair, and who knows what else.
"A bath would be lovely, but um, you don't need to assist me. I can bathe myself just fine."
"You will not need assistance with your hair?" Vanya asked.
"Oh no, I appreciate your kindness. But, um, I don't want to ask too much of you. I can manage on my own, if you want to just bring me a dress, or tunic, or anything really, I would appreciate it." Not to mention that I don't need or want you to find out I grow an orange scaly tail. I thought the last bit to myself, the two females nodded their heads thoughtfully while Eleniel studied my figure as we walked. I felt my cheeks heat up slightly before nervously tugging my shirt down a bit.
"I um, I didn't really ask but… Where are the baths? Is it a public bathing area or closed quarters? Or is there one for each floor to share?"
"There are two bath houses open to the public, a female and male bath. Lord Elrond and other nobles have their own bathing houses and as a guest to Lord Elrond himself there will be a small bathing room across the hall from your room. Normally you would share that bathing house with other female guests but there are no others here as of late. The only guests we will be expecting will be coming in a few days. Most of them sons of men and elves from other colonies."
"Alright, thank you for informing me of that. I… Wait. Did… Did you just say elves?" I felt my confusion slowly lifting up slightly as I saw identical looks of surprise. My eyes slowly drifting back towards the pointed ears of the two women.
"Yes, there will be other elves coming from the woodland forest known as Mirkwood." Other elves. That was what Vanya had said, that more were coming, which would mean… The ears, it was a sign, an ethnic one that these people were… No.
"Miss Rori?" No. It's not— it can't be. Elves? They don't exist, similarly to how Mermaids don't exist. All fairytales, right? I felt like my mind was slowly spiraling down into a hole, going down and ready to crash into the bottom.
"Miss Rori, you don't look well. Perhaps you should lie down." Eleniel spoke softly to my left as she opened one of the doors. I felt a light touch on my right shoulder before I was taken into the room. My mind was still running a hundred miles an hour trying to comprehend everything I just heard. There was a bit more pressure put on both of my shoulders and I felt myself get pushed down onto a seated position on the bed. My throat felt dried than ever and I struggled to form a sentence. My hands trembled in closed fists that were balling up the fabric on my legs.
"I… I um, I'm okay." I said unconvincingly. "I just, I… I was surprised that's all. I just… I need some time to myself. Please." Vanya was the first to nod while Eleniel looked me with what I would call a "distinctive worried mother" look. They quietly excused themselves before stepping out of the room and shutting the door behind them. I let out a shaky breath and buried my face in my hands for a moment. Breathe in, breathe out, in, out, in, out. Deep breaths. Breath in, hold it for a few seconds, and then slowly let it back out. My legs dangled off of the soft bed and I felt cold concrete floor under my bare feet. Slowly I felt my heart rate slowing down to a normal pace, my breathing got more relaxed, and I focused on the cold concrete my toes were grazing. I tried to think about what I just learned.
First, there were elves, and by the look of the people here as well as the way Vanya and Eleniel spoke it was like they are elves. If that is the case then there is something other than human out there, other than mermaid too. Which would mean that there are small cities, old fashioned, and albeit odd to say the least. But there are cities of elven people out in the world. People who like me are abnormal, I couldn't imagine what would happen if they were found out. But they don't seem wary of outsiders, they didn't hesitate to tell me what was out there. So why? They didn't deny being inhuman either, and they clearly thought—well I am human in a sense, but regardless they regard me of not one of them yet they invite me to stay. Free of charge none the less. Why were they so kind?
Second, while the medieval town is a bit odd, it is the least of my worries. In fact I probably would have looked at it more like a Renaissance Fair if it wasn't for the lack of knowledge about one of the continental superpowers of the world. Many of them actually. The U.K, the U.S, why didn't they know about them? Furthermore where was I? Nothing here looked even slightly familiar to me, the rivers even felt different. Although I don't recall swimming in the water I felt the power coming from it when I was carried across. The water felt powerful, it felt alive, and more than anything else it felt safe. Like home. Although that might be the fish in me talking. –tap…tap…tap— I glanced up to the tapping on the door when I heard a familiar voice.
"Miss Rori, we have the bath drawn for you and we set aside a robe for you to wear once you are finished. Are you sure you don't require our assistance?" Eleniel asked from the other side of the door, and although it was not my own room I did appreciate her not just walking in unannounced.
"Oh thank you, Eleniel. And no, I don't need assistance. But thank you." I took another breathe as I stood up from the bed I had been seated on. I glanced down at my own clothing, which were rather dirty at the moment. I quietly opened the door, careful not to startle the women on the other side, but it looked like she was already expecting me and had a smile on her face.
"Right this way." She walked me over to the bathing room and it was a decent size, larger than the bathroom I shared with my parents. She did mention Elrond was a noble, or some type of high classed man so I suppose I'm not too surprised. Well, I shouldn't be surprised anyways. The bathroom had an actual window, not an opened archway into the air unlike most of the halls and large areas of this… Castle, I suppose. The bathroom had marble flooring, and a large tub off under the window ceil, and thank goodness it was. It appeared that despite the older look to the village it had some type of plumping system.
"You need not to drain the water when you are finished. Vanya and I will deal with it." I glanced back over at Eleniel, whom was still standing in the doorway of the bathroom itself.
"Are you sure? I'm sure if you showed me how to drain the tub I could do it myself." She shook her head at my response and I decided not to argue with her on the matter.
"Alright, I will leave it to you then. Ah, um, where should I find you afterwards? I won't have anything but a robe and…" I felt my face flush a little and hers did so as well, up to the points of her ears.
"Vanya and I will be waiting in your room for you Miss Rori. You need not to seek us out. Normally some of the servants around here would empty the water every hour or so unless it is occupied. We are simply helping you settle into the room." I nodded and glanced over at the tub, ready to go test out the water once she left. Eleniel, like she had been doing since I met her, seemed to pick up on the silent que and excused herself as she shut the door to the bathroom. Which left me to my lonesome in the bathing room. I looked around and walked back over to the door to see if there was a way to lock it. Frowning when I saw that there wasn't I lifted a small section of water from the bathtub and brought it over to the door and iced over the knob so that it wouldn't open. Satisfied that no one would be able to just come in without forcing the door I walked back over to the tub and undressed myself.
Running my fingers through my hair to try and get out any leaves I quickly lowered myself into the lukewarm water. I clutched my hand in a fist like motion and heated the water a little bit as I turned to water for a split second and soon my tail was out over the edge of the tub and barely touching the ground. I leaned my head back and closed my eyes, and like a ghost words brushed over my mind. I want to live. To explore and have an adventure. I hate being cooped up here like a prisoner in my own home. I want to live a life. My heart ached at the familiar words, the very ones that I spoke to myself as my mother tried to dry my tail after the table accident only a day prior to this. I curled myself up slightly and scooted on my tail to get enough room to dip my head under the water of the bath. My umber hair flowed around my head in the water. I wanted to think that this was a chance, maybe a wish that came true to get some distance from my parents. But it's not really what I wanted. I didn't want to escape them, I just wanted some more trust and independence. Now, well now it wouldn't happen. When I got home they would be furious at me, worried, scared, possibly even injured. I have no idea what happened when I was moonstruck, what if I hurt one of them?
If I wasn't under water I might have cried, the sheer thought that I injured my family terrified me. The fact that I couldn't control myself when the full moon hit terrified me. The way I was truly lost terrified me the most though, I was alone and I didn't know what to do. Swim back? Well I had to of gotten here from an ocean but I wouldn't know where to go, not to mention I'm not used to that type of swimming distance. Ultra speed or not it would take a long time, not to mention if someone saw me come up for air. They would likely think I was a drowning girl in need of assistance and so they would pull me from the water and I'd be exposed. Or I would swim away and be exposed by how fast I moved. There was also the issue of sleeping, I couldn't sleep under the water and floating on the surface wasn't an option. Plus if I wasn't careful I could get attacked by another sea creature, like a shark. I sighed to myself as I resurfaced from the tub and breathed in the fresh air. I needed a game plan, a way to get out of here soon. Not that they were not kind, but I needed to get home, to get to my family.
"Think Rori, there must be some clues as to where you are, just think." I mumbled to myself. I tried to recall any information I gathered over the course of the day. This was a place called Rivendell, or Imladris, as the clones had said it was called. It was in the valley under some mountains through an entrance which was hidden by said mountain. Hm… Nothing is clicking so far. Well the names are a bit odd; Eleniel, Vanya, Elrond. They also have another language that they speak, not one that I think I've heard before. Then either it was Eleniel or Vanya had mentioned another place. Marewood? No... Mirkwood? Yes that was it, Mirkwood.
"Why does it sound somewhat familiar? It's a forest right? But I don't think it's a forest in the United States. But then again if it was then they would know what the U.S was." I felt my brow furrow in slight frustration as I pondered the forest, well they had called it a "woodland realm" but that meant forest didn't it? Or was it a village made completely of wood? Well, most places are made of wood so it wouldn't be that odd. Frowning I looked at the water and moved my hand to lift it up and carefully run it over my tail to wash that too. It felt nice on the scales.
"If it weren't for the moon last night I probably wouldn't be here. If it weren't for that accident a few years ago I wouldn't be in this mess at all." I let out a light sigh and ran my fingers through my wet hair. It felt soft, silky still from when I washed it the day before. I leaned back and stretched my arms over my head as I tried to think of the guests that were coming soon. If there are women coming too then I will likely have to share this bathroom with them. Not that I mind sharing but it will make bathing a bit more dangerous. If someone were to see me… Well inhuman or not I don't want to risk it. While they may not be entirely normal it doesn't mean they openly accept other abnormal creatures too. I frowned to myself and looked around, there was no clock to determine how long I had been in here for and I didn't want to keep Vanya and Eleniel locked up in my room forever while I was in here.
I steadied myself in the tub and put my hands on either side of the smooth surface. With a push up I managed to push myself from the tub and onto the hard floor. The thud was a bit louder than I thought it would be and I flinched from the noise and the slight ache in my arm from landing on it. I barely was on the floor for ten seconds when there was a pounding on the door, –bang! Bang! Bang— I jumped slightly in surprise and quickly turned myself over onto my back.
"Miss Rori! What is going on in there? Did you slip? Are you alright?" A concerned voice of Eleniel sounded from the otherside.
"Yea, I slipped, but I'm perfectly fine! No need to worry, happens all the time!" I called out and hoped they would go away.
"You sound like you're still on the floor." Vanya's voice also came from behind the door, although I was a bit confused. How could she know I was on the floor? "We are coming in." The color drained from every inch of my body as I hurried to try and dry myself. With my hand over my tail forming a fist slowly in order to not injure myself, I heard them trying to open the door. Luckily the ice was holding against them.
"No you really don't need to. I am fine. I'm also naked." I quickly added the last bit and the struggle with the door ended a bit.
"Miss Rori, I suggest you dress yourself, we need to go get someone to get this door open. We can't leave you trapped in there." Eleniel said worriedly and my eyes widened. I began to dry my tail faster, it slightly sizzled and stung a little.
"What is that sound? Are you alright in there?" Vanya asked from behind the door. Just as my tail finished drying and I hurried to my feet, grabbing the robe and throwing it over myself.
"I don't hear anything. Move back from the door!" I called out as I slowly melted the ice. "I'm going to try and see if I can get it open on my side. Maybe it's just a little stuck. Eleniel does not need to go get anyone." I said as I made my way to the door, about to play with the knob to make it seem like I was struggling with the door.
"She already left, Miss Rori."
"What? I didn't even hear her."
"Elves are very light on their feet is all. She went to see if she could find some help." I frowned as I got ready to open the door.
"I don't think we will need it, I think I can get it open. Can you catch up to her?"
"Afraid not Miss, I am to wait here with you." I mentally groaned at the response I received. Great, just great. I didn't need that right now, it was embarrassing enough that I had to pretend to be locked in the bathroom. The door wasn't truly stuck either, well not for me anyways. With a light sigh I played with the door knob two more times before I opened the door. I swung it back towards me for dramatic effect, and it make it seem more believable.
"Oh I got it! Just had to mess with the knob a little." Vanya looked at me confused, she was about to say something when Eleniel's voice rang from down the hallway.
"Oh you got it open, sorry Lady Arwen, it appears we won't be needing your assistance after all." Eleniel apologized to the stunningly beautiful women next to her. The girl had dark brown hair, nearly black, with beautiful grey eyes. It actually looked like the same color that the clones had, only hers seemed to glow with happiness. Her skin was pale and flawless, it seemed to glow even in the white hall. She wore a long formal dress with loose sleeves, it fit her snuggly and showed off her slender figure. She looked back at me and offered a polite smile. It was not like I was interested in other women, but she was just otherworldly. I never seen someone who looked as beautiful as the woman coming my way now.
"I am relieved to see that our guest is not truly stuck, it would reflect badly on us. We will see to it that the door is inspected so it doesn't get stuck again." I felt incredibly awkward talking to her, she seemed so perfect that it made me feel a bit… Insecure maybe? It was rather uncomfortable to say the least. While she didn't appear to be mean or anything she just felt… Superior to me, and it made me want to disappear into the wall.
"Um, it's alright really. I wasn't bothered or anything, it um, it happens." I felt like I was stumbling over my sentences, unable to form a coherent enough one to really talk to her.
"But thank you, for coming to help me, Miss." If it was at all possible to sound stupider I managed it, her smile grew and for a moment I thought she might mock me like all the stereo type pretty girls. However her smile was softer and she just shook her head.
"I did what any other would have done. Furthermore you are a guest to my family. I will admit I was a little curious to meet you Rori. I heard it was my brothers, Elladan and Elrohir, whom found you while they were returning from their patrol. You are as lovely as they described." I almost choked on my spit when I heard her, the most beautiful woman I had ever seen, call me lovely. Although I did find it a bit odd that her brothers, who I assume are the clones, said they thought I was pretty. I slept outside, after possibly swimming all night, with little to no sleep, and I should have looked like the walking dead. She seemed to notice my surprised expression because she spoke again.
"I am sorry if I have surprised you. However we must continue this conversation another time. I am afraid I must be off, I am leaving tonight with a few other elves to look for a few friends who may have lost their way. I hope I shall see you upon my return." With that she excused herself and continued down the hall. I stared at her returning form before I heard a woman clear her throat. When I refocused on the two… Elves, who were still with me I noticed it was Eleniel.
"Miss Rori, it is not decent to be standing out here in such a state of dress. We should get you into your room to properly dress you." I felt my cheeks flush a little and I nodded as I walked quickly into the room I was occupying for the time being, the two elves on my heels. When I walked in I really took in the room, I hadn't really taken the time before to look at it but now that I did I don't know how I didn't before. What I had thought was concrete flooring was actually marble like the bathroom. Ivory ran up the walls by the window, and yes it was an actual window. The room was mostly white and light hues of brown and green to decorate it. The bed was large and there was an end table next to it with a small candle. There was a small table as well towards the left of the room and a few feet away there was a large mirror with a small bowl of water in front of it on another but skinnier table. It was probably meant to clean your face and hands in the morning, but I would probably need to ask later. Finally my eyes landed on folded fabric that was placed on the bed. There was a light cream colored fabric and then a basil colored green fabric as well.
"We got you an underdress to wear and there is a green kirtle that matches your eyes Miss Rori. In the closet we provided you with two more dresses and two nightgowns. We will work on getting you more clothing Miss Rori." Eleniel spoke softly as she picked the fabric, which were dresses, off of the bed to show them to me.
"You don't need to go to all that trouble, it's alright really."
"None sense, you will need more dresses than that during your stay. It will be provided for you since you came in nothing but men's clothing. No bag, and lost here, it is no trouble." Once again I felt myself surprised at their kindness as well as guilty. It made me feel indebted to the people here and I wasn't entirely sure how to replay them. Unless they wanted some ice or fire or to have water moved, although they don't know about me so even then I couldn't do anything in return for them.
"Come on, I am sure you will look lovely in it." Vanya said. After that they helped me put on the layers of dress, they had me look in the mirror. The dress was pretty, and the green brought out my eyes and hair, at least I thought so. My hair fell down my back in the loose waves I had dried it in when I was drying myself in the bathroom. Eleniel looked pleased that it had fit me, and Vanya would occasionally look at her touch my hair. While I found her behavior lightly odd I didn't comment on it.
"The day is still young Miss Rori, would you like one of us to show you around? Or perhaps we can find someone who can if we are unable to." Eleniel asked, and I felt my stomach growl slightly. Eleniel giggled slightly and offered me a smile.
"Vanya and I will go get you something to eat, poor girl, you must be starving. Wait here." She motioned to Vanya and the two of them left my room. I walked over to the door to say thank you, but stopped cold when I heard Vanya speaking to Eleniel.
"Did you see her hair? It was dry." Vanya asked.
"Perhaps she kept it out of the water?" Eleniel responded.
"But it was cleaned, how could she have dried it so quickly?" Their voices faded as they walked out of the hallway and I just stood behind the door, stunned into silence.