AN: sorry that this chapter is up a little late. We've started Exam preparation in schools (:( Erruughhh) and I know that isn't a good reason...
Thank you for everyone who reviewed and favourited this story- You are all awesome
Hopefully the next chapter will be out slightly sooner!
Meetings in a courtyard
A gentle light reached towards Rosalie, and she groaned and rolled, throwing herself out of her chair. She groaned again, pulling herself off the cold stone and shaking her head slightly. The clouds were a faint pink, blushing as they listened to the birds enchanting songs. Her sketchpad and pencils were scattered around the chair, a couple of the pages folded at awkward angles, a small pencil rolling towards its fall though the railings before Rosalie snatched it. She guessed it was sometime around dawn and she looked over Rivendell, rubbing the aches out of her neck. There were a few people about; a couple of blonde heads milling about a small stream and one stood in a giant clearing, firing arrows at a target across the way. Rosalie gathered her stuff and went inside, dumping her stuff on the table as she went before flopping onto the bed, her eyes shut as she hit the pillow.
This time, Rosalie was awoken to gentle shaking and her eyelids fluttered open, a picture of beauty unfolding before her. Glamoreth smiled at the girl, and gave her a handful of clothes and then walked over to the desk. Rosalie grinned at the elf and she shot a similar one back at her. Apparently, she had given up on trying to force Rosalie into dresses and so she had brought a thin pair of black legging like trousers. Guess they tailored for me, Rosalie thought, noticing how the legs were a lot smaller, more fitted for a woman than a man. There was a white blouse as well and a small red flower stitched near the shoulder and Rosalie snorted. Glamoreth smiled and murmured something pointing to the rose and then at the girl. The girl stretched and took the clothes over to the bathroom while Glamoreth leafed through the sketchpad. She knew it was wrong to pry but it was open and all the drawings were breath taking. There were animals, some the elf recognised like deer and rabbits, and others that were shaped like cats. There were trees and plants, and a few with humans in them. On one side a couple clad in strange outfits sat on a bench staring out over a strange sort of city while on the opposite were three beautiful women no legs but tails like a fish. There was even a drawing of her home, Rivendell, its beauty preserved in the page. Rosalie came out but stopped suddenly and Glamoreth flushed. The elf started stammering and looked up at Rosalie, taking in her appearance. The smallest trace of a smile started before her eyes widened and her mouth fell open and Rosalie smirked, knowing exactly why Glamoreth was shocked. "Where's Gandalf?" Rosalie asked, looking at a shocked elf and she sighed and repeated herself. Glamoreth flushed again and stammered and then led Rosalie through the door, out into Rivendell, a smirk still on the girl's face.
After Glamoreth's reaction, Rosalie knew others would notice; and she was right. They walked down corridors, meeting gawping mouths and shocked stares until they reached a small garden area with a shaded patio. It was already occupied by Gandalf and five small boys. Correction, Gandalf and five men that were the size of boys. Rosalie flushed a little as she heard Gandalf's voice boom from across the patio. "Rosalie, you always have splendid timing! Come, there are introductions to be made." They all turned and there was a mix of reactions. Five pairs of eyes turned, curly hair dancing as the rest of them turned. One of the small men had white, wispy hair looked on curiously, a sly smile matching the dark haired one's grin. Gandalf's eye twinkled as he watched her stepping out into the sunlight, growing nearer to the group. "Rosalie, this is a good friend of mine, Bilbo." The small man seemed a little shocked but quickly masked it with a gentle smile though his eyes seemed a little wary, his eyes darting between her head and her hair. "And these are Frodo, Samwise, Peregrin and Meriadoc. They come from the Shire, as I showed you yesterday. My dear friends, this is La... Rosalie." Gandalf caught himself at the last minute, biting down on his tongue to stop the chuckles as the mortal girl tried to shoot daggers with her eyes. Rosalie looked at all the Hobbits, the younger ones staring curiously while Gandalf and Bilbo sat calmly on one of the stone benches. "Oh!" Gandalf suddenly started rummaging around in his pockets while the Hobbits stared at the new arrival in their group. The smallest of them, Peregrin she thought, was still staring at her, his mouth hanging somewhere around his chest, eyes still trained slightly above her green eyes. He caught her eye and flushed while his friends stifled laughter. "Here it is!" Out of one of his numerous pockets, Gandalf pulled on something, tugging it when it got caught and Rosalie saw something sparkle in the morning sunlight.
Rosalie watched a small golden necklace fall and dangle between Gandalf's large fingers. It had a small clasp with tightly woven golden locks and a small blue stone at the end of it, small golden letters in a foreign language decorating it. Inside the stone, it looked like there was a substance that seemed to change between a liquid and a gas every few seconds. "I found it after searching through far too many crooks and crannies last night, knowing I had left it somewhere." He handed it to her and she admired it before putting it on. "It has a spell on it." As Gandalf said that Rosalie's eyes shot up, panicking and reaching around to take it off again when the wizard chuckled. "Do not worry; the spell will not harm you, it is simply an old, powerful communications spell. They use to be used all the time when the world was new and the races of Arda were beginning to awaken. While wearing that, you shall be able to understand the Common Tongue and people shall understand you. I also believe that young Peregrin Took has a question for you." Everyone turned to the smaller hobbit from before and he flushed a little, seeming to be uncomfortable but curiosity got the better of him. "Your hair's blue." He blurted, his face a mixture of embarrassment and unease, making more than one person laugh, including Rosalie.
He was right, her hair was blue. Rosalie reached up to smooth down some of her locks. "I kinda got bored of it so I dyed it a different colour. Normally it just looks black but in the sunlight, I guess it does go quite a bright shade of blue, huh..." Rosalie smiled a little, feeling a little flustered herself. "Is it normal where you come from to do that?" The question seemed innocent enough to Rosalie but one of the other hobbits jumped in quickly. "Pippin, you can't just ask someone a question like that. It's personal." Rosalie smiled.
"No, it's alright, I don't mind... I'd rather you say what you're thinking than honey-coat stuff." Rosalie said and all the Hobbit's frowned at her, as if she had spoken Pig Latin. "I've never heard a lady say that to me." Pippin said and his friend playfully glared at him. "When have you ever had a conversation with a nice woman that lasted longer than 3 seconds? Not that you're not a nice person missus." That last part seemed like a bit of an afterthought and the hobbit smiled apologetically at her and Rosalie giggled.
"Well I'm Pippin," The hobbit who was brave enough to talk to her first. "Peregrin Took." Pippin took her hand and bowed, gently kissing her knuckles and Rosalie flushed a deep pink colour. "My name's Rosalie. Rosalie Mayfair... and just Rosalie. No my lady this, or my lady that- just Rosalie." Pippin grinned at her and his friend suddenly jumped in. "I'm Merry by the way. That's Sam and then Frodo is sat by his uncle Bilbo." Sam smiled faintly when Rosalie looked at him and Frodo gave a small wave.
"Where do you come from?" Pippin asked. "What's it like?" Merry countered. The two hobbits stared at each other before they both started talking. "What's your favourite food?" "Do you know any Elvish?" "Why did you dye your hair that colour?" "Do you have any family?" "Any friends?"
"OKAY! Let's see... I live in England... it rains a lot... Probably lasagne... They start speaking and I have no clue what they're saying, possibly something about my hair or fashion choice and the reason my hair is blue, confidential." Rosalie whispered the last part and Gandalf and Bilbo began to chuckle. For a few moments the Hobbits were quite and Gandalf opened his mouth to speak when a small voice raised itself from the group. "What does confidential mean?"
Rosalie was lying back on the grass, eyes closed, soaking up the last of the sunlight. The hobbits were lovely; curious and shy and funny, a blend that drew people to them. Pippin and Merry were fascinated with her hair and told her all about their precious Shire, painting an image of peacefulness and luxury that made Rosalie want to visit herself. Bilbo wanted to know all about her home, with Frodo and Sam occasionally asking a question, seeming shyer than their companions while Gandalf chewed his pipe, smirking to himself. Their questions were endless and they didn't mind Rosalie's appearance as other had turned their nose up at her and being around them made her feel comfortable. All too soon though, the group, including Gandalf had left, though before they left Bilbo had managed to convince Rosalie to join them for dinner instead of taking it in her room.
"Most people tend to sit on a bench when enjoying the gardens," a voice rang out and Rosalie opened her eyes to see a figure, features shrouded by the light. "Though you do not look like most people." Without looking at the man, Rosalie could tell he was smirking. "Most people don't realise the bench has feelings and does not appreciate being sat on all day. I am merely being nice and giving the bench a break from its tiresome job." Rosalie countered innocently, sarcasm dripping from every word and the man snorted. He moved and Rosalie could see him clearer. "I'm sure the bench won't mind me sitting on it." He was an elf, something that shocked Rosalie. He doesn't act like one, she wondered, Please... the only elf you've ever spent time with is Glamoreth, how would you know what they're like, she chided herself. Like the rest of his species, he was visibly striking with platinum blonde hair and eyes like the ocean. His smirk showed bright white teeth and one dark eyebrow was raised at the crazy girl lying on the grass.
She was strange, crazy even. She was lying on the grass, her hair a vivid blue colour. Most women he had met wore dresses and would never be caught lying down like she was, so relaxed and serene. She was wearing masculine clothes yet there were a few feminine touches and he smirked at the mortal and decided to let himself be known.
"My, you have a big ego... and do not be so sure as I can talk to benches." Rosalie said in a serious tone, watching the elf's eyebrows get dangerously close to his hairline. "Really? I did not know you had such skills. What does the bench say?" Rosalie frowned for a moment, and then smirked at the elf. "That you are heavy. And you smell funny."
The elf gasped theatrically. "I do apologize dear bench; I did not know how you felt. I shall move immediately to the grass and give you a rest." The elf jumped down and crossed his legs, sitting perfectly still and straight, watching Rosalie. There was a few moments pause. "The bench says thank you."
A little further from the strange pair arguing about benches was another pair, watching the two with faint smiles. "Who is that woman who has captured Legolas' attention?" The human asked and the elven woman frowned a little. "I don't know; however my father has been grumbling to Mithrandir and Erestor about a strange human woman named Rosalie." The name glided from her tongue like honey yet the name was foreign to them both. The human cocked his head to the side. "Does she realise her hair is blue?" The couple giggled for a few moments before the elven lady took his arm and they resumed their walk through the halls of Imladris.
"Glamoreth, do I seriously have to wear this?" The elven lady sighed, waiting outside the small wash room for Rosalie to come out and she was very close to losing her patience. She was happy that she could finally communicate with the mortal- she seemed nice but this was a time when she liked the language barrier. "Of course you do. You are dining with the Lord of Rivendell and the guests of honour. You have to wear a dress." From inside, Glamoreth could hear the girl mutter curses under her breath and she wandered back over to the desk, her fingers dancing over the pages of the girl's sketchpad. The elven maid knew it was wrong to snoop but... they were so accurate and captivating. Like all of her race, she loved beauty in each and every form, including the mortal's drawings. Suddenly something flickered. Glamoreth frowned and went back a page to the striped animal. I thought it... never mind. Slowly the door creaked open and Glamoreth moved away quickly, not wanting Rosalie to know she had been prying.
Glamoreth smiled; proud of her work and even Rosalie had to admit, she looked good in the dress. It was light and floating, feeling more casual yet still an evening gown. As the sun descended, her hair had slowly turned black, her dark locks tied into an elegant bun on her head, a few tendrils trailing across the creamy colour material. "See? You shall be fine." Glamoreth said as they both admired her dress. There was a knock at the door and Gandalf appeared a smile hiding somewhere under his beard. "You look divine, Rosalie. Come, otherwise we will be late." Rosalie let Gandalf tuck her arm under his and Glamoreth watched them leave, smiling at them both.
Gandalf led her through Rivendell until they reached an archway and from inside, she could hear voices talking, glasses clinking and one of the hobbit's laughing. She stopped and Gandalf turned to her, his grandfatherly presence somewhat soothing. "Don't worry, it shall be fine." Rosalie gulped, her bottle green eyes searching Gandalf's kind blue ones. Inside the room was a massive table, about twenty guests taking their places around the table. She could see the hobbits nearer the end of the table, laughing with each other at Pippin who was staring longingly at the food already on the table. She recognised a few of the elves including Lord Elrond, Erestor and the guard Glorfindel. Surprisingly the blond elf from earlier was sat close to his kin, talking to them though looked shocked for a second to see her before quickly masking it. There were also dwarves and a few humans though both groups seemed to keep to themselves while there was a single human that conversed freely with elves. Bilbo's eyes met Rosalie's and he sent her a smile, giving her courage and Rosalie held her head high.
I can do this. I can do this. I can do this...