Notes:
Chapter 4, it has been a long time in waiting. I don't really have much time to write but I am trying to continue. I really like the idea of this story but considering that there aren't other ones like it (that I have found for that matter) it's hard to play with. I'm always open to suggestion, to things that you may have questions about. In the reviews or in the PM system you are always welcome to ask me things or to suggest story points you want me to come across. I want your feedback and I want to know what my readers want to see.
Regardless, I hope you will enjoy this chapter. I promise I will mellow out Rori sooner or later, she's still in a panic over most things though.
Chapter 4
In their absence I paced back and forth in the light room. It never had occurred to me before that they might find some things I did rather unusual, well some of the weird occurrences anyways. The ice on the door had saved me, or else they would have been able to come in and see me like that. But the hair? It was so little of a thing I hadn't even considered it. There had been times in the past where I jumped into the ocean fully clothed and found people an hour or two later completely dry; as if nothing happened. Those people never questioned it so therefore I had never considered it, but now… They seemed to look into everything, all the small details. I would have to be careful from now on, that much I knew. I let out a sigh and sat down on the bed. The sun had gotten lower in the sky, although glancing outside I couldn't tell the time. There were no clocks around here either, none that I had seen anyways. My phone wasn't with me so that was out as well. Talk about a burden. It was summer, nearly autumn, so the sun sets were slowly coming earlier than eight o'clock, but the days were still longer than in the winter.
I felt antsy, I was worried that they might start telling other people and then there would be more attention on me. I needed to blend in more here; dress similarly, keep to myself, to fade into the background like a wallflower. That was what I always did, I hid myself away from everything and everyone, trying to blend into the background and become the white noise of everyone's lives. Never truly free to do what I please or what I wanted to, always trapped in this cycle. It all was because I was a mermaid now, a supposedly mythological nonexistent creature of the sea. Despite the cycle of lying and hiding there were things I loved about what I was. I could go places and see things unlike anything else, the ocean called to me and I loved to answer the call. As much as it pained me to be alone, or alone with my family, I didn't regret it. I didn't regret the times I had to hide away in my house to avoid the moon, or the loneliness that sometimes followed. I had long ago become accustomed to it. I could swim anywhere I wanted, see anything under the sea, so then… Why do I feel like a caged bird? Invisible chains clinging to my legs and keeping me trapped in a place so far from everyone, keeping me separate.
I swung my legs off the bed and hopped up onto my feet. I needed to clear my head, to think. I walked over to the window and looked down and out. Maybe there was a ledge I could sit on? I didn't really want to leave and then get lost. Besides… Eleniel and Vanya had asked me to stay put and after everything that they had done I didn't want to disrespect them by leaving. I was also rather hungry and I didn't want to miss out on a chance to eat as well. There was no glass to pull back in order to close the window so I was able to slip out with ease. With a sigh I leaned back against the part of the wall beside the window on the ledge and watched the clouds slowly move in the sky. The moisture in the air felt heavier and reminded me that it may be raining soon. Making my decision to stay on the ledge and not venture out continually more logical. My eyes focused on the moon that was present in the sky it was full but that was from the night before and for some reason it didn't affect me during the day, only at night when the moon was the highest in the sky. The full moon was last night so I should be fine until the next moon cycle. Unless, if I moved into different time zones then it might be tonight? I felt the color drain from my face at the mere thought.
"Miss Rori, may we enter?" I heard a girl's voice, it took a moment but it registered in my mind as Eleniel's voice. Which meant that Vanya was probably out there as well. I tried to take a calming breath and lightly smacked my cheeks with the intention to bring more color back to my face. Carefully I stood up on the ledge and climbed back through the window of my room and quietly planted my feet on the floor.
"You can come in, I don't mind." I answered her after a moment. I shifted my weight back and forth on my feet as the door opened and Eleniel gracefully entered the room holding a platter mixed with fruits and vegetables. And I mean platter, not plate, not bowl, a platter. Vanya came in after Eleniel did, and she held a smaller plate with what looked to be a wide array of cooked venison, salmon, tilapia, and an unidentified meat that I didn't recognize. I offered them a slight smile as Eleniel placed the platter down on the table, after she set that down she placed a smaller plate with some utensils for eating next to the platter. Vanya placed the plate of meat and fish down near the fruit platter and they both offered me slight smiles.
"Thank you, really, for all the trouble you have gone through for me. I appreciate your hospitality. If there is anything I can do to repay your kindness please let me know." I told them with a slight bow of my head, feeling catered on without a form of repayment felt uncomfortable. Vanya smiled at me as if I was a silly child and Eleniel shook her head.
"Lord Elrond and his family have invited you to stay until we can find out where you need to go. You were lost, and they don't expect anything in return from you Miss Rori." Eleniel told me while straightening out her dress.
"After you eat, we need to take measurements of you so we can get you dresses that will fit you better. Until then we will bring you some gowns that look to be close to your size. My daughter Raina is getting some of her older dresses for you to use until we have dresses that will be more suitable for you. You are quite thin, more so than most daughters of man that I have seen. So I believe Raina's dresses should fit you. If there are adjustments that need to be done we can of course make sure it's comfortable for you Miss Rori." Eleniel said politely, or as politely as she could. It didn't necessarily escape me that she claimed that not many "daughters of men" were thin, but I don't think she meant it in a negative way. She may have been complimenting me for being different? I wasn't entirely sure but her tone wasn't that of a snobbish woman or even trying to be negative. So I sort of found myself looking at the table somewhat uncomfortably as I got myself seated.
"Oh thank you. I um, I will try and get her clothes back to her as soon as possible."
"You should not worry about it Miss Rori. My daughter has outgrown those dresses and she is simply happy to be able to offer her assistance when she can." Eleniel smiled softly and I bit my lip. I didn't feel comfortable taking so much from them, but I couldn't really say no. Not only would that probably be considered rude but I needed to blend in more. It would be easier to blend into the background that way. The less attention on me the better.
"Thank you Eleniel, and thank you as well Vanya." My tone seemed soft even to my ears, it was a little surprising but it couldn't really be helped. People typically weren't just this kind to complete strangers and it had me both on edge and feeling slightly bad. It also made me think that I needed to pay it forward some way. Even if they wouldn't let me repay them, I should treat others in a similar matter. Show kindness and not ask for anything in return, simply be kind to those in need.
"Miss Rori, you seem quiet." Vanya stepped forward, it was odd to hear the concern in her voice but her face didn't betray any feelings. "Is the food not to your liking?" Vanya tilted her head to the side as she looked down at the assortment of meats, vegetables, and fruits.
"Oh no, it's not that at all." I quickly told her. "I was just thinking about what all you have done. It's… It's not something that I am used to." I tried to explain, but it felt like I was only confusing them more. I felt heat rise on the back of my neck and I tried to push the blush down and away from my face. "I was just thinking about it is all. You know, that if more people were like you all, kinder to those around them. Then the world would be better. It's an idea to pay it forward, to repay kindness with offering kindness to others who may need it." I admitted, it felt awkward to say it out loud. I started to think that maybe I should have kept it to myself rather than tell them about how I felt. The concept of "paying it forward" was something I learned about a while ago, and is it sad to say it was from a movie? Just a movie that I watched in a class maybe a month before I was homeschooled.
"That is a nice thought to have." Eleniel said, Vanya nodded in response to my comment as well as her friends', if they could be called friends. They seemed slightly close and I wasn't really sure. "If that is what you want to do then you should Miss Rori, but you should not fret on it now." Eleniel continued, she moved forward slightly and then hesitated before lightly patting my shoulder. Perhaps cautious in case I didn't approve of the gesture, or maybe just unsure about the contact in general.
"Right, u-um, thank you." I stuttered rather lamely. If the blush didn't win the battle to my face earlier it seemed like it did now. The whole situation was awkward enough anyways and despite the conversation ending on a seemingly okay note I still felt like I put my foot in my mouth. I picked up my fork, still under the watchful eye of Eleniel and Vanya. The air felt heavy with the undying awkward tension, or maybe it was just me? Neither of the two elves seemed bothered. After a few moments of silence I ate a few of the vegetables, and once they were pleased that I didn't seem disgruntled at the food chosen they began to leave. Anxiety swelled and spread through my entire torso as they started to leave.
"Ah, wait! Um, Eleniel?" They both stopped walking once I broke the silence. As much as I wanted to just curl into myself and disappear I needed answers to a specific situation. "Uh-um, I just… I was curious if you knew what the moon cycle would be tonight. If… It was a full moon tonight or if it already passed…" My tone faltered at the end, and I sort of just trailed off. Eleniel looked thoughtful for a moment.
"The moon? It was full last night, so no it should not be a full moon tonight." She looked at me and frowned just the tiniest bit. "Were you hoping to see it?" She asked.
"Oh, no, not at all. It was more just a curiosity. My family has this weird tradition. We stay in when the full moon is out, my mom was just superstitious." I quickly gave a rehearsed excuse, it was the same thing I told new friends who wanted to hang out with me. Not that there were many of them anyways, my old friends wouldn't have believed the excuse, and they too drifted away after contact became minimal.
"Then you should not concern yourself with it Miss Rori, the next full moon is many nights away. However if you are truly so concerned then we will tell you about the next full moon the night prior or the morning of, if you are still with us that is." Eleniel said with a smile and I just nodded.
"Thank you again, both of you, for being so kind." After that they both left the room. I massaged my temples and closed my eyes. What sort of situation did I get myself in? There was a river nearby so if I did swim here it was likely from that area. I could swim away from here, keep going until I find familiar waters. Almost instantly after I had that thought I mentally smacked myself for it, running away from the only people willing to assist me was stupid. Besides how long could I swim when I had no idea what was out there, it was unfamiliar territory and which direction would I even go?
"What am I going to do…?" My voice was barely above a whisper as I pulled my legs up on the chair and hugged my knees to my chest. I tried to think of what my mom would tell me to do in this situation. With a light snort I shook my head, she would tell me to be careful and to not start any fights or display weird behavior. My dad would tell me to avoid the water as much as possible, that if they see me disappearing in the rivers around this place, they might start getting suspicious. Then there was how they reacted to me initially, with weapons… They said that this was a "troubling time" so there was clearly something bad going on, but they never specified what it was exactly. What was happening where they would be carrying weapons, and would I truly be safe here? Probably not, they could turn on me at any moment. I shouldn't stay long, maybe a week or a little bit longer than that but no more, who knows what could happen and this nice act could be just that. How does someone go from pointing weapons at you to making you a guest in their town?
The next few days I tried to stay in my room, kept myself occupied and barely did anything involving water. I didn't want them to catch anything weird again, although I wasn't wearing my pajamas anymore. They gave me a few dresses that were fitted to my size, it fit like a glove but I always got nervous I'd get the dress dirty and ruin it. Maybe I could take one home as a memento? One that they wouldn't miss, and I could do it in secret, just jump into the river and go. My plans of keeping a dress was interrupted though, but a knock on my door.
"Miss Rori, we have some news for you." Vanya said through the wood and I quickly walked over to them, maybe they heard something about my home? Was there missing person reports that reached them? It was only a few days but there was always hope, right? When I opened the door they both had slight smiles, which wasn't very innocent looking or sweet like it usually was. Almost instantly I was on edge, their smiles made me think that maybe this news wouldn't be very great, or maybe that they decided that they wanted to kill me in some sacrificial fashion. Honestly, as soon as that thought made its way into my head I almost laughed, I don't think these two were the murdering type, and it would be off for there to be such a change in personality.
"You've been locked away in here so much, we thought perhaps someone should show you around. Staying indoors on such a beautiful day isn't good for your health Miss Rori." Vanya said with that smile still plastered onto her face. I nervously smoothed over the pale jade colored fabric of my dress. The fact that they said "someone" and not "we" didn't escape me and the thought of wondering around an unknown place with an unfamiliar person seemed even scarier than the initial "they might hurt me" thoughts, at least with these two I felt somewhat at ease.
"Someone? Will it not be one of you?" I asked and hoped they would call me silly for assuming it would be anyone else other than the two of them. However that didn't happen, instead Eleniel just nodded in response to my question. My stomach seemed to sink slightly at the non-verbal response, I was going to wonder around with a stranger…
"You're quite fortunate that they offered to show you around. They overheard us discussing that you have been keeping to yourself and seeing as they were the ones who brought you here it is only polite that they—" they… There was more than one person, and they were the ones that brought me here. There were not very many options in that, there were only five people present when I was found out by the river a few days ago. "—Miss Rori? Are you listening?"
"Ah, I'm sorry Vanya, I was just… I was just thinking about who could be taking me around the town. You said that they were the ones who brought me here… That only leaves a few candidates…" They both smiled again and I felt even more anxious. It was probably the woman with the ice colored eyes or the green eyed man from before, neither one seemed overly pleasant and I would rather not have another river scare like before.
"Yes, seeing as you are their guest," shit. "Elladan and Elrohir have decided that they would show you around. It was going to be Lady Arwen but she is rather preoccupied." Eleniel said, she seemed to frown just the smallest bit at the mention of Arwen being preoccupied. But I wasn't really able to focus on that part, it was the fact that the clones were going to show me around.
"Oh, I don't know. I mean they must be busy right? They probably don't really have the time to do something like that, I don't want to trouble them like that. I'll just politely decline, after all there are probably better ways they would rather be spending their time." The words fumbled out of my mouth in a rushed mess. The nervousness clearly showing in my voice and body language as my fingers curled around the jade fabric; trying to force myself to calm down a little.
"It would be rather rude to decline their offer Miss Rori, especially when they sent us this way to inform you of their coming." Eleniel lightly scolded me, which sent a bit of a hidden message. For the past few days I have been saying that I wanted to make it up to them for their hospitality, and now that they want to spend any time at all around me I'm saying "no" or "I don't want to". Eleniel reminded me of my mother a little bit, they both had that way of sending clear hidden messages in very few words.
"Right, then I should make sure I'm ready for when they get here." My tone may have sounded slightly defeated, but if either one of the elves felt bad about it they didn't show it. If anything they seemed more pleased with my reluctant defeat on the matter.
"Lords Elladan and Elrohir will be here soon, it should only be a few minute wait Miss Rori. Luckily you're already properly dressed to leave your room." Eleniel spoke as she walked around me and lightly lifted my brunette hair in her hands. "I can tend to your hair to make it presentable, and Vanya will go retrieve slippers for you to walk in." As soon as Vanya's task was mentioned she was already leaving the room while pulling the door shut, which left me alone with Eleniel as she gently tugged at certain parts of my hair. Likely looking at the knots and natural curls to see what she would need to do my hair, in a short amount of time as well. I felt her start tugging my hair in different directions as she silently, as well as quickly, worked on my hair. Within minutes Vanya walked back into the room holding a pair of lightly faded brown leather slippers and smiled at me. I responded with a hesitant smile and resisted nodded my head at her, I didn't think Eleniel would appreciate me moving my head as she was attempting to deal with my hair.
"They should be here soon." Vanya spoke after a few minutes of silence, and I assume Eleniel nodded since she did not verbally respond to the other woman… erm... Elf.
"There, now your hair was been done." Eleniel said after another moment of silence, and it wasn't like a fairytale wedding updo, it was rather simplistic which I was grateful for. I didn't want to send the message that I was trying overly hard to get either of the clones' attention, and something drastically different than what I would normally do. The hair that usually framed my face was pulled back and mixed with other strands to form a braid going back behind my head, but the braid was only consistent of about a third of my hair, while the rest remained flowing down my back in small natural waves.
"Thank you, Eleniel, for doing my hair. I don't think I could have done it as nicely as you did, and thank you too Vanya, for getting me a pair of sho- slippers, I would rather not walk around barefoot." They both smiled at me, but it still put me on edge a little. The best way I could think to describe it was as if they were excited for something that has yet to happen, that they were waiting to see something or they knew something I did not. I tried not to let the anxiety settle in my stomach, the thought of not knowing or not understanding terrified me, it was like I was moonstruck. I didn't know what would happen during that time and this "walk" was beginning to feel the same way.
Minutes passed, and time seemed to slow as the anxiety built up in the pit of my stomach, it spread through my veins and my body felt cold as a result. Why? Why did I feel so anxious about this? It was just two guys showing me around unfamiliar scenery, this used to happen in school when you were new or when you moved into a new house. Maybe it was because I felt like an intruder on their way of life, or that these boys were more easily compared to as important celebrities. Their father owned this place, the entire land, and so what did that make them?
"Miss Rori," Eleniel interrupted my thoughts as she lightly took my hand, the one that was grasping onto the right sleeve of my dress, "You should not worry so much. It will be fine and the two Lords will not do anything to harm you. I know as warriors they can be intimidating but they are good, and you are their family's guest." Her motherly tone almost soothed me, but I still couldn't shake the nerves. Regardless, I nodded and gave her a light smile for the attempt, they always surprised me with their kindness.
"Thank you, I'm sure they're nice." As the words left my mouth there was a knock on the door.
Notes:
Why are the twins showing her around? Well from what I understand about them from what I've read in other people's stories is that they're a bit mischievous, and so I'm sort of rolling with that idea. I mean they can be serious and they really hate orcs, but I think this makes them more fun.