Hello everyone, I know that is has been so long since I updated and I am sorry for that. With my constantly busy schedule it is hard for me to find motivation to update and honestly as I look back on his story I feel like I made Rori into a Disney Princess and that gives me goosebumps. I will likely be revising the first five chapters to develop her personality in a better way because I do see it as a potential problem later on. However today I was reminded that today is a good friend's birthday and she enjoyed this story and so I wanted to update it today (at least it is today in my time zone).
I would like feedback on how you guys think Rori is, I've seen a couple, such as: she's a wimp, she's nice, precious, she's a little weird. But I want honest opinions on how you view her character because I know so much time as passed and my writing style has shifted and so have my ideas on characterization.
Chapter 6
Sun poured through the window and onto my face, I opened my eyes slowly, I hadn't gotten a lot of sleep last night. I spent most of the night waking up every half hour to hour, my thoughts consuming me. How could I get home and why was it that no one knew about where I was from or that I didn't know where I was? The small amount of sleep I did have left me restless with vague memory of what I could recall from the odd dreams. The images were a little too hazy but something about it stood out to me: there was a lot of grey and some yellow as well. Although I can't remember what was happening for there to be those types of colors present. There was not a lot of time to dwell on it though, because almost too quickly there was a knock on my door.
"Miss Rori, are you awake?" Eleniel's voice chimed from the other side of the door.
"Um… Yes. Yes, I am." I got myself off of the bed and straightened out the nightgown I wore as the two elven women walked into the room. They both smiled at me slightly, although their faces otherwise were entirely void of emotion. I was beginning to believe it was simply how elves looked and acted, because all the ones I've met have been the same way. They were almost emotionless or at the very least incredible at hiding their emotions and thoughts, sometimes I wished I could be the same way, just in absolute control of myself. Maybe then the moon madness wouldn't take such a strong toll, and I wouldn't find myself in these type of situations: where my memories were so far gone that I couldn't even recall how it was that I got here.
"I hope you slept well," Vanya started as she walked over to me, her tone was a little sharp still and I briefly wondered if she was still upset at my disappearing act last night. "We need to get you ready to go have breakfast with the others." I felt my emotions quickly shift as I quickly became anxious. I recalled them mentioning the fact that there were other guests here now, although at the time it had not really sunk in that I would be meeting the other guests… I was far more concerned with the idea that my home so far that no one knew where it was, or that they were mad at me, and at worse that they would have seen me as a fish.
"O-Oh," I stuttered as Eleniel shut the door and walked to a wardrobe, she took out a pastel blue dress and laid it out on the bed as they had me undress. Which was still rather awkward even though it had been this way for about a week now. "So… Can you two tell me anything about the guests that are arriving? Are they like me or are they elves like you?" I tried to make conversation, to say anything to break the silence, but my words were a little too mumbled. I bit my lip while unconsciously moving to grab a hold of my other arm, squeezing the skin to try and calm myself down.
"Well, a hobbit was brought here about two days ago, and now there are three more here. Then there is our kin from the Woodland Realm." Vanya answered me as they laced up the back of the dress. Lightly tapping my arm to silently tell me to stop slouching and let go of my other arm so that the dress would lace properly. "Although there is a son of man amongst them, but he was also fostered by Lord Elrond and his family as well. He is one of our own as well as one of your own. His name is Estel." I nodded as I listened to them talk, so there were things called "hobbits" whatever those were. Then there was more elves, although they seemed to be from a different region… And one person, like me in a sense. Both of us being "children of men" or human as I liked to call it. Well, I was a mermaid so was that half human? Or did I lose my humanness entirely after the change? I pushed that thought away almost instantly, I was still human, just because I had a tail didn't mean I was a thing now.
"You must not concern yourself with that matter too much, Miss Rori." Eleniel said as she tugged on my hair a little as she combed it, and I glanced over at her in surprise, were elves able to read minds too? I really didn't need that on top of everything that was already happening in my life. My thoughts were the only private part of my life at the moment.
"You may feel anxious having so many unknown people among you but none of them would ever do you harm so long as you are not the one starting a fight. Our woodland kin can be a tad strange at times but they are good elves. As small and playful as the hobbits are, they are still kind from what I have seen. Try not to feel too concerned on the matter, you will find that you are in good company." She continued to check my dress as she spoke to me; soothing out winkles and making sure the sleeves fell down over my hands and arms in a graceful manner. I was a bit relieved that she was referring to the fact that I was clearly nervous about meeting them, I don't know why I thought it was any different beforehand. While they may be inhumanly graceful and void of outwards emotion that did not mean they were telepaths.
"Thank you for the reassurance. I'm sure they're nice people, oh um, I mean elves, hobbits, and another human. I just never really spent much time meeting new people when I was at home, so I always get a little… Anxious." Even I was able to hear the strain in my voice once I got on the topic of my home, there was no doubt that they heard it too. However neither one of them brought it up or tried to comfort me on the matter. I was grateful for that, I felt like I received enough pity from them all. In their eyes I was a lost child, despite my age, and in all honestly I was beginning to feel like I really was just some little girl. Lost in the supermarket. Being here wasn't really helping me, but leaving wasn't very optional either. I thought that the day I changed I was so trapped, so caged, but now I felt like this was worse. I had no resources, no real friends, there was absolutely nothing and I didn't know what to do. I wanted to cry. There was one dark thought that I couldn't even bare to consider yet, something that was prickling at the back of my mind but I refused to acknowledge. I kept telling myself that I would go home, that I can and will go home.
"Miss Rori, we should bring you down to the breakfast hall. The other guests should be arriving there soon, and it would not due to have a young lady late." Eleniel spoke from my side, causing me to look at her briefly before nodding. I pushed the darker thoughts from my mind and tried to shake my nerves a little. I wasn't going to cry in front of them or the other guests, I was not going to cry. I would stay strong and I will figure my way out of this mess.
"Yes… You are right. If you'll show me the way I will follow you down to the hall." Vanya walked out of the room first as Eleniel followed shortly behind her. I tried not to dwell on the fact that Vanya had hardly spoken to me the entire time. I took a breath to calm myself before I held the ends of my dress as I followed them out into the stone hallway. They had already started down the hallway, as they made long and flawless strides down the hall, I had to almost jog in order to keep up with their walking pace. My hair fell down my back in warm waves, the brown seemed to almost be lighter in the sunshine. I turned a few sharp corners as I followed them and I almost ran into a child in the hallway. I quickly stopped moving and bowed my head a little to look down at the boy.
"I am so sorry," I leaned down a little, getting ready to help the child up, "I did not see you there, you aren't hurt are you?" I asked. The boy had golden blonde hair, although it was more towards the yellow side of the color wheel. When he turned he face me I was surprised by the sight, it wasn't a child. It was a small man. I blinked in surprise, it wasn't the first time I saw someone of… erm… short stature. I simply wasn't expecting to see it here, given that everyone else here was about six foot tall.
"No worries young lady, no harm done." He looked at me, with a silly smile but there was a hidden intelligence hiding behind his blue orbs. However there was something else that seemed to push past he playfulness and the intelligence, and it was a look I was all too familiar with: curiosity. "Are you an elf Miss?"
"Oh, I'm afraid not. I was actually-" I glanced up and noticed that my two guides were, in fact, gone. "Well… I was headed to the breakfast hall, but it seems that my guides have left me." I felt myself starting to mumble as I mentioned that Eleniel and Vanya had left me alone in the hallway with this short man. Less so because of his company and more because they didn't seem to notice that I wasn't following them. It would have been funny, if I wasn't worried about making a bad impression on everyone. It was just wonderful, I sighed to myself, only I would lose my guides less than two minutes after leaving my room. I knew where the river was, but that was due to a more… Instinctual pull to the water, the dining hall however was a different story.
"I was just headed there as well, I am just waiting on my friend Pip." The small man said has he rolled from the heels to the balls of his feet and then back again. I looked back down at his as he energetically swayed back and forth on the balls of his feet; resisting the urge to stick my hands out and catch the man in case he started to tumble. "I didn't catch your name Miss." I felt my cheeks heat slightly, not only was he clearly a guest headed to the same place, unless he was some small servant here, but I forgot the manners I was reinstalling into my mental state after arriving here.
"My ba- I mean, my apologies, I'm Rori." I crouched down a little, although trying not to make it look so obvious I was trying to get down to his level. I held out a hand which he gladly took to give me a gentle shake. "Who might you be sir?" He gave a bit of a mock bow, the smile never leaving his features.
"My lady I am Meriadock Brandybuck, you may call me Merry." I gave him a smile as he introduced himself. It was sort of cute in a rather dorky manner.
"Well hello Merry, by chance can you show me where the breakfast hall is?" I asked and his smile widened a little. Making me confident in his answer before he even spoke.
"Merry? Who is this?" Another voice came from my side and I felt my heart skip a beat as I jolted up slightly. I didn't even hear him walk up behind me. Thoughts swirled around my mind like: how was he so quiet, in fact why was it that everyone here was so darn quiet all the time, and more importantly did he just witness me jump out of my skin?
"This young lady is Miss Rori. Miss Rori this is my best friend Peregin Took." Merry introduced us as I held out my hand to him. Instead of taking my hand he did the same mock bow that Merry had done before.
"At your service Miss Rori. You may call me Pip or Pippin."
"Hey Pip, you're just in time, I was about to show Miss Rori to the breakfast hall. She got a little lost in the halls." Merry explained.
"Oh you will love it, afterwards we can have second breakfast, then elevenses, luncheon, afternoon tea, dinner, then supper." Pippin said as he and Merry walked ahead of me and I began following them at a much easier pace than when I was running after Eleniel and Vanya.
"Don't forget Pip, they don't eat as often." Merry said causing me to frown a little. They weren't joking earlier? That was seven meals a day when including breakfast.
"How do you not go hungry? Only three meals? I would starve!" Pippin exclaimed, and I found myself starting to smile at his antics. It was cute and kind of funny to hear how passionate he was about eating, I used to think I was enthusiastic but not nearly as much as he was. He continued to rant about how he didn't understand how humans didn't die from starvation, and I started to giggle.
"Well Pippin, we only have three large meals a day. Sometimes, if you have the money or the food accessible, some people snack in between meals. Not all the time, but maybe some fruit or a pastry." The comment seemed to bring him some type of relief and we rounded a corner where an archway was present. Inside the arch I could see a large table being lined with food as other people started to file in as well. There were other tall, elegant, and over all beautiful people roaming around as they started to filter into the room. I figured those were likely elven kind due to their inhuman beauty and their ability to never going to trip over these long aesthetically pleasing yet impractical dresses. I didn't see the other guests that there supposedly here or anyone who looked remotely entirely human. Pip and Merry walked ahead of me into the room, chatting animatedly about the food that was being offered.
As I stared forward the room started to expand, and stretch out as I continued looking in, my breathing started to come in shorter breaths and my palms began to feel sweaty. Every ounce of playfulness or comfort started to seep out of my body and was replaced with anxiousness and a sense of insecurity. It was almost like the first day a new school: where do I sit, and why does it seem like everyone already has their own little cliques? My thoughts became clouded and suddenly I felt the water calling me again, calling me to where I was safe and comfortable: where I wasn't filled with worry constant questioning. Before I could lift the skirts of my dress above my ankles to run off I felt a little tug on my sleeve. I glanced down to my right side and saw Merry standing there, trying to gather my attention, and his lips were moving but I couldn't comprehend what he was saying. There was sound but for me they weren't forming into words, it was like being underwater. Everything was gargled.
For a moment I tried to recenter myself, to draw within for a moment before I could bring myself to speak to him. I see the specks of gold shining in his hair, there seems to be some reds too. The stones are polished, and there doesn't seem to be a crack in them. I see the green fabric of his vest, and the little bronze buttons adorning it. Then the hair on his bare feet. I can feel the silk of my dress, and the breeze lightly pushing through my hair, it makes my cheeks and ears a little cold. I can feel the cold of the stone seeping through the flat slippers on my feet. I can feel Merry tugging on my sleeve. I can hear the rushing water of the waterfall outside, and light music playing, is it from a harp? Merry… He's talking, I can hear the sounds but there aren't… They're not fully forming into words. I… I smell the spices from whatever they were cooking with and the water coming from outside. I can almost taste the spray of the water, it's such a strong smell… It's fresh… and it's almost calling to me, pulling me to it. Breathe… I just need to breathe. One breath at a time.
"Miss Rori?" Merry's voice started to get clearer, like I was resurfacing from my own mind. "Are you okay? You're just standing there." My cheeks started to feel some warmth back in them. How long did I just stand here staring ahead at the room? Minutes? Great first impression Rori, you look stupid.
"I think she looks a little pale Merry." Pip's voice started at my left side. "Do you think that she's not feeling well? Maybe we should get a healer." Somehow that panicked me more, and before I could stop myself I heard words tumbling out of my mouth.
"Oh, no. That is not necessary, I don't… need a healer or anything like that. I'm just… hungry. I haven't eaten since yesterday morning." I wanted to smack myself on the forehead, I couldn't just stop talking after saying that I didn't need a healer? I couldn't just tell them that I was fine?
"Well if that's it then come sit down!" Pip said enthusiastically as I felt myself get tugged down a little as he grabbed my hand and lead me into the large room. Any lingering worry he seemed to have about my condition faded. I could feel the eyes of the people already present starting to focus in on us and tried my best to ignore it as Pip walked me over to the table. Merry was hot on my heels as we reached the area where they were sitting. I sat myself next to Pip, who was sitting next to Merry as they filled their plates.
"You said you were hungry Miss Rori, so don't be shy. Fill your plate, it will bring some color back to your face. We don't judge." Merry said in a tone that almost reminded me of talking to a grandmother. Now eat because you're too thin or you're looking too pale or put some meat on your bones child. Regardless I started to slowly put some fruit and bread on my plate, the two smaller men had already started stuffing their faces with food but I couldn't bring myself to follow their lead quite yet. People were still filling the seats and I didn't want to start earing till everyone else did.
"Are you not fond of the food Miss Rori? The strawberries are really good." Food sloshed around in Pip's mouth when he spoke and I had to force back a cringe. I wasn't too happy with his eating habits but I didn't want to offend them right away either. Honestly Pip and Merry were the only ones that I didn't feel semi-uncomfortable around right now, and I wasn't exactly keen on the idea of ruining that just now based on table etiquette.
"It's not that, I'm just… waiting, till everyone starts to eat too." I explained, the two men just shrugged and continued to fill their mouths with food but they didn't push it any further. Soon the room was filled with mostly unfamiliar faces, but I did recognize the older man in the grey ropes, he was sitting beside the clones Father, Elrond, and later two small men came and joined Merry and Pip. They were introduced to me as Samwise and Frodo, but neither one of them spoke to me too much. They were also filling their plates and stomachs with food. It wasn't until I saw Elladan and Elrohir sit beside a beautiful woman, probably their sister with how much the three of them resembled one another, when everyone started to eat. I tried to force myself to eat a good amount of food to make up for everything yesterday, but I had trouble actually eating. My whole body was starting to feel overwhelmed with the amount of stress and anxiety that I had been subjected to the past few days. I felt the need to go to the water again, to swim and just loose myself with the pull of the tides. About twenty seconds later I wished I had just gone swimming rather than coming to breakfast or that I wondered lost in the halls, it would have beaten the sudden feeling of juice spilling all over my lap and onto my legs.
"Oh!" I let out a startled sound as I jumped from my seat. Pippin was frozen in place as he was reaching over my plate, his arm where my drink used to be, in an attempt to grab some cheese from the platter. "Excuse me!" I darted out of the room and immediately searched for any type of door that I could escape into, I twisted myself around a corner and pulled open a door to a closet, there were buckets and probably some type of mop but I threw myself into the small space and pulled the door shut when I felt myself fall back against the stone wall. My orange tell now fully in view and I glared at it, I couldn't have just one peaceful breakfast where I wasn't fleeing from anyone who could see me.
"Did you see where she went?" A male voice rang from the other side of the door and I mentally cursed at my terrible luck. I had no doubt in my mind that with their superior hearing that the elves were going to be able to find me quickly. I glanced around in a panic while slowly curling my hand into a first towards my tail. There were some neatly folded rags up on the shelves that I tried to reach behind myself to grab.
"Do you hear that?" A different the voice asked as my scales sizzled a little as I heated them to dry, I stretched my free hand further feeling my fingers curl around the rough fabric of the cleaning rags.
"Is it coming from the closet?" the first voice asked, I couldn't hear their footsteps but I could hear them turning the doorknob. Just a few more seconds, I thought to myself as I curled my hand harder and yelped from the searing pain as the steam picked up momentarily. I pulled my free arm down with the cloth in hand as I attempted to twist my body around. Then there was light shed on me.
"Rori? What are you doing hiding in the closet?" The two voices asked me in unison, without the door acting as a barrier I could clearly recognize the clone's tones. To my ears there was both a curiosity and a subtle amusement present in their voices.
"Oh, Elladan and Elronir, I was just looking for a cloth to dap at the juice." I felt my voice strain slightly as I let out a breathy laugh to myself. "You know, so that it wouldn't stain the lovely cloth." I spoke quickly as I turned back around to face them. The dress was now dry and flowing over my legs, whenever the fabric rubbed against them I felt an aching sensation, so I did my best not to flinch. My hand was clutching the cloth over the area of my lap where the drink had spilled on me, the light blue fabric was partially stained as I dabbed at the dried area all while praying to any deity that might hear me that they wouldn't notice.
Answers to over all questions or concerns:
Sweetheartcat5: I know, and I'm incredibly guilty of never updating. Again, I am busy and I wish I had more time or even inspiration for this. I want to try harder and start really forcing deadlines on myself or it will never get done. If you or anyone else have ideas or things you would like to see I am all ears. It helps me to bounce ideas off of other people to see where it takes me with my characters and stories.
Voltaire's Dream: she's still trying to comprehend what happened to her, but she will have to come to terms with her situation soon. She's choosing not to confront it head on because it's too hard for her right now. I am looking forward to her developing relationships with various characters as she starts to care about this world. Any suggestions or ideas you or anyone has on how she might do so are certainly welcome.