So maybe I really enjoy this section of the story because I wrote this whole thing up in one night. It probably isn't as funny as I would wish but it keeps all the girls who like mushiness in their stories on the edge of their seats. Have fun and happy new year!
--DS (DE)
In Rivendell, there aren't huge meadows or big, flat lawns so the elves make do with little dells where little groups meet for picnics, quiet discussions, and the really private ones for married folk that most people avoid who have any decency and that's the entire population. There are distinct differences between the men and males of Middle-Earth and my good old Planet Earth. They are the sweetest things, not taking advantage of a poor girl all alone, almost bizarrely shy, and pretty darn good at keeping a girl entertained without any sort of ungentlemanly behavior. Most girls would think it very boring but it's not! Actually, it makes one very, very comfortable and almost entirely naïve except for the fact that we are still women and somehow, these men above all men and elves beyond imagination still get married. Considering this thought and many others, I was whisked along pathways, bridges, stairs with my hand held securely in Rhov's hand as he darted along toward his destination. Ok, so I was really enjoying the feeling of being in the presence of the only person who had ever made me realize that I was a woman and no wild, crazy, insane little girl but that's no reason for you to snort and say, "Great, a romance is all I need right now. Couldn't you just keep all the mushiness out of it?"
For your sakes, I will cut some of my thoughts out of my head and skip to the part when, breathless, I was pulled to a stop in a pretty little glen where Arwen, Elrohir, Elladan, and several other elves I didn't know the names to were sitting or standing on bright green, knee length grass that was swaying in the small breeze.
"Ah ha!" Elrohir cried and bounded forward from his seat on a stump. Grinning like an idiot, he grabbed Rhov's hand and mine and pulled us forward until we were right in front of Arwen. "Now, sit and I will dole out your rations from this tiny little basket that sister has brought."
Rhov sat down on next to Arwen then laid his head on her lap in the most familiar way imaginable. With a smile, Arwen motioned for me to sit next to her then began stroking Rhov's blue-black hair. No, I am not jealous, not in the least. The fact that I was imagining clouting Arwen over the head with a two-by-four was purely because she had not spoken to me in a long time.
With a lip beginning wobble dangerously forward in a look of utmost poutiness, I plopped down thinking disgustedly that every elf present had to be getting a kick out of my clumsiness.
"Come, lady, I would not have you sit on the grass alone and soil your gown when there are blankets aplenty." It was a human man. Egad, I had forgotten how nice it was to see someone accursed with humanity. From his dress, he appeared to be one of the men who had arrived four nights ago with Rhov. In a rugged, John Wayne-way, he was handsome.
With one glance at a perfectly relaxed Rhov, I smiled up at the smiling face and nodded. "If you will show me where they are, I will be more than happy to find one."
"No need, my lady. I have already chosen one for you; I hope it pleases you." He held up a blue rug that was so beautifully made, the thought of sitting on it was ghastly.
"Oh dear. Are you sure that's for me?" I said, smiling a little just to make sure he did not think I was rejecting his gift.
Next to me, Arwen laughed and ceased Rhov's head. Oddly enough, he seemed pretty darn tense considering what I wouldn't give to have Arwen soothe my forehead. "It is for such a purpose I brought these rugs, Kelly." (Sorry, I have to tell you just how funny it is to hear sweet Arwen spit out that name which sounds so horrendous coming from any of Middle-Earth's population, human, hobbit, elf. Orcs, now, they could probably pull it off.) "Please, receive it. Halbarad is right; such a lovely dress and I do not wish you to have a cold from the damp that is still on the grass."
I smiled graciously and stood up to take the rug and place it on the grass but Halbarad pulled me forward flipped the rug down on the grass and gestured toward it. See what I mean about the darling little (actually they are quite tall but just let me say it) males around here?
"Why thank you, Halbarad, that was quite chivalrous of you." I began to wonder if there was any way I could shift that funny twinge from Rhov to Halbarad as I sat back down and the good man plopped down beside me. You have no idea how wonderful it was to see someone else beside me drop so ungainly onto the ground. It does wonder for the mind.
"It was no trouble, lady. Tell me, why did your father name you Kelly? Such a strange name I have never heard in my life." Halbarad said with such perfect grace that I could not resist a smile.
Before I answered, I took one little peek at Rhov and Elladan who were both in my line of vision. Rhov was still lying down but his fingers were digging into the ground as if searching for worms and Elladan was not hiding his animosity towards me. No doubt he was wondering why I could take Halbarad's attentions so quickly to heart while I nearly gagged if Elladan came anywhere near kissing my hand.
"Actually, they thought I was a boy until I was born and they hadn't chosen any girl names so dad picked up a magazine lying on the hospital rack, pulled it open, and called out the first girl name he found. Mom was in no shape to complain about any sort of other name and Kelly was the first name Dad came to. After all, just how would you be able to pick a name when the nurse was shoving a birth certificate under your nose and demanding a name before they stuck me into a nursery bed?
"I don't have a middle name since Dad and Mom were at a real loss to know what would go with Kelly and Lacklan so they just gave up. Personally, I chose my own middle name and wrote it on everything I could get my hands on, including the wall in the kitchen and that Sharpie ink doesn't come off in a hurry." Pleased to see every single person looking slightly dazed as if they were trying to translate from Chinese to Basque to English, I pulled up four blades of that wonderfully long grass and began weaving them just the way Mom had taught me when we were on a camping trip in the Yellowstone.
The only person who was not looking remotely put out was Elrohir who had shoved Arwen –just how exactly can anyone but a brother shove such a beautiful, graceful, loving creature? - and sat down next to me. He pulled up four shoots of emerald grass and began watching me bend and pull the grass together.
"What middle name did you give yourself?" Halbarad asked. He had been the only one besides Elrohir not dazed. Perhaps seeing all the elves look so ignorant had amused him enough to not bother trying to figure out everything I said.
"Oh," I pulled the fourth shoot tight, " first I started with Emma because she's a famous movie star but I saw a really pretty name in a Baby Name book. It sounds Arabian but I wasn't too sure, anyway, it doesn't go with Lacklan or Kelly in any way but I liked it. Aaliyah." Two more blades of grass were guillotined for the sake of my little project.
"What does it mean?" Elrohir asked as he began weaving his own little rug with a small, strange grin on his face.
I blushed slightly, "Ascender. But I didn't know that was the meaning until I looked it up several years later."
Rhov spoke for the first time and the elvish translation of my name sounded so pretty. "Adlanniel would be our name for you. Perhaps Halbarad likes your version better but I think you will be Adlanniel to me from now on. It sounds far more distinguished than Mierien."
I peered over at him from behind my grass weave and saw he had finally relaxed. Arwen caught my eyes and the sweet smile that was all her own made me glow from head to toe and I turned back to my two male companions who –why I could not tell you for the life of me- were now both weaving busily. Halbarad was having trouble because he was a little too aggressive and kept breaking the shoots. I set my grass pad down and began helping him.
"Tell me," Elrohir suddenly burst into the comfortable silence, "what is a magazine? I have been thinking of that ever since you mentioned it and now I am quite beyond my self-control and have to ask. It sounds so strange."
Looking up from Halbarad's fingers as they were now weaving beautifully, I saw that every single elf was watching me intently. Even the reposing Rhov had flipped over on his stomach and was staring at me with a fiery look that I could not quite understand.
"Ah, well, that is something like a book except that it is quite thin and the pages are stapled in the middle and the pages folded over them. Usually the pages are very slick and slip on the fingers but the pictures are all colored. Unfortunately, I only get to read them at the local libraries because the subscription prices were unbelievable. National Geographic was the very worst because they used the prettiest smelling paper and it was so very expensive to print the photographs on the pages that I'm sure it cost a pretty penny." I paused to see what my audience was doing and saw that that glazed look had come back except for Elrohir and Halbarad who were both contentedly chuckling at their companion's distant expressions.
"Well," Elladan remarked dryly in the silence, "that certainly answered little brother's question."
"Actually, I can picture it in my head, staples and all." Elrohir said cheerfully as he started on his twelfth extension.
I began shrieking with laughter and every eye turned to me except for Rhov who for some reasons was taking a special interest in Halbarad for some reason. Tell me, if a handsome, tall, stately elf had come up to you and said, "staples", you would have died of laughing and I had just stepped beyond the thin line that separates self-control from hysteria all because an elf had said staples. It took me several seconds to go from shrieking to horsy laughing then even more time to get to quiet chuckles. When I had finished, the elves I did not know had slipped away and Arwen was pulling her fingers from her ears slowly followed by a more cautious Elladan. Of all people to not cover their ears, Halbarad and Elrohir had not. Considering they were sitting right next to me, you would think they would be deafened but no, they were both laughing so hard that Elrohir was smacking the grass with a fist and Halbarad was on his back almost breathless.
It was then, while I was looking around that I spotted the end of Rhov's cloak as it swirled down the path toward the Last Homely House. I would have gotten up at the moment if it had not been that Elladan had followed my gaze toward the retreating Rhov and was now looking slightly curious. I met his searching gaze and turned back to see what could be done for the collapsed duo. Arwen was smacking Elrohir back into sanity and Halbarad was wiping his eyes with the corner of my rug that was becoming rapidly soaked with the tears of merriment.
After Halbarad and Elrohir had calmed down, I helped Arwen pack up the little food that had not been eaten by the ravenous Elrohir. I was just wrapping a cloth over the small loaf of bread when Arwen spoke.
"Adlanniel… you do not mind if I call you that?"
I shook my head but was almost afraid of what she was going to say and when she spoke again, my fears were confirmed.
"Adlanniel, you do not mind my asking if you are feeling an attraction to Rhovanion. Because," she held up a hand to my opening mouth, "please, let me finish, because if you do feel for him, I believe that he has feelings for you as well."
I had just stuffed a hunk of that wonderful bread in my mouth and was caught with the problem of either choking it down, spitting it into the grass, or merely saying nothing. I chose the last because choking never agreed with my esophagus nor was it anywhere near polite to spit one's drooly bread hunk onto the grass. I merely allowed my eyes to bloat up at the now smiling Arwen.
"Do not seem surprised, little one. Since the night you met, he has only spoken of you in front of me until I was quite jealous. For all his young life, I have been the only woman in his life besides Galadriel and to see him so interested in someone else is quite strange."
I had finally managed to gulp the bread down and gasped, "Well, yes, but he doesn't like you in the same way as me." Right after that, I slapped my hand over my mouth in astonishment. That's were wishful thinking gets you.
Arwen smile had now turned into one of pleasure at finding out my true feelings on the matter. Who would have known that the Undomiel was so sneaky? "Arwen, I am shocked at your behavior! How dare you wheedle me into a corner!" Actually, I wasn't that miffed.
"Ah, my little child, I did not wheedle you, I just wanted to know for sure so that I can tell Rhov with all honesty…"
"WHAT?" I roared and Elrohir, Elladan, and Halbarad who, thank heavens, had heard nothing of our conversation turned from their march up the pathway with big eyes. Arwen had waited until they were gone, laden with the blankets and rugs before starting the conversation and were quite a ways up the trail.
"Come now," Arwen said in a mock-tired voice, "you really do not expect me to keep such joyous news to myself. Besides, it was he who asked me."
"HE WHAT?" My, my, I was turning into a lioness today voice-wise.
"Not so loud, Adlenniel." Arwen grimaced.
Softening to a bear's roar I said, "WHY?"
"Because he was becoming quite jealous of Halbarad and Elrohir. The only reason he left when you started, eh, laughing was that he could not stand the sight of such a lovely creature looking so wonderfully content with her world. I do believe he is quite deaf considering he thought your laugh the most beautiful thing he had ever heard."
I had calmed down finally and was able to grin wryly at the stately Arwen. "Do not be so kind, my lovely lady of the night. Perhaps you heard him wrong, often a male uses sarcasm in such occasions; you did have your ears plugged."
"You have made a good point but I am telling him nonetheless." Putting the last apple in the basket, Arwen picked it up and waltzed toward the pathway.
To put it mildly, I was utterly and completely flabbergasted with this horrific situation. This, in all honesty, was not good. My parents took four years to decide they liked each other enough to get married and my grandparents had taken all twelve years of school to figure it out. Now these elves were expecting me to like someone after only knowing him three days. Actually, it all sounded so very romantic, I was beginning to regret my foolish heart and light a shuck for Mirkwood.
Just then, a rustle in the trees caused me to jump twenty feet into the air and whirl around. Legolas jumped out of the branch overhanging me and sent me crashing to the ground with a squeak of indignation. Laughing uproariously, Legolas put his hand down to help me up and with a grunt, I grabbed it and yanked hard. Surprised, the usually perfectly graceful elf thudded into the ground next to me.
Suddenly, I was transported back to Mirkwood, that dusky forest of fresh pine where many a time, Legolas and I had romped in such a childish way as to make a five-year-old blush for our babyish fun. Now lying next to Legolas in as he chuckled himself out, I watched the leaves brush against one another in the familiar way of old and dear friends, their moving figures letting the afternoon sun sparkle and tease my face.
Legolas sat up and yanked off his leather boots, throwing them against the tree trunk. Then he turned to me and waved his hand in front of my face. My locked gaze unlatched and I focused on his slightly bemused expression.
"Now, now, pretty one, no winsome, sad faces on what could be the last beautiful day of autumn. The leaves are beginning to turn, the grass will wither very soon, and then we will have winter upon us. No need to seem so dismal, you will have plenty of time for that later."
"Oh yes?" I said and sat up to face the grinning wood-elf. "Well, if you heard any part of that conversation with Arwen, I have every reason to seem dismal as you will tease me from here to eternity."
Legolas leaned on one elbow and leaned his head on my shoulder. "No, I won't tease you…"
I was far too relaxed to jump up and kick the living daylights out of that smug little face so I merely glared at him.
He leaned closer and whispered in my ear, "Tease you I shall not but once Arwen tells Rhov, no doubt he will let it slip to someone and I will have license to tease our poor dark-elf. I have no desire to be murdered before I depart on the quest."
I could feel the skin around my eyes tighten and suddenly, there was nothing more I wanted to do then tie up Legolas and not allow him anywhere. The beautiful day was suddenly full of apprehension on my part. "What do you mean, the quest?"
"Why," he finally plopped down, plucked a bit of grass and began systematically ripping it to shreds, "only that Elrond told me this morning that I will be going on the quest with Frodo. Actually, it will be a nice change from the monotony of Mirkwood. Think of it, no longer wearing fussy long robes but putting on my hunting boots, stringing my bow, and walking out of a door to start a journey to the unknown." Legolas' face had suddenly turned so dreamy, I could not help but feel this would be the best thing in the world for him. But…
"Will it be very dangerous?" I said with a true and purely needful quiver as tears pricked at the corners of my eyes.
Legolas sat back up and saw me trying vainly to brush my tears away. I was torn between jealousy and fear and both emotions are not good for an already confused and already emotionally charged female. With those hands that had so many times comforted me with the caresses of an older brother, Legolas brushed the tears away with his hand. "Do not cry, little aranel, it will be an honor and privilege to help Frodo in his endeavor. Fear not but be strong for all of us who are going. Who knows but that you have some small part to play in this, the most needful of times."
With the same sweetness that one rarely sees in annoying old Legolas, the little darling bent forward and kissed nose as he had done since he adopted me into his heart as his little sister. Drawing me close, Legolas pulled me into a hug and began rocking me in the familiar way of someone who has done it often. Now, now, do not think I am a crybaby but I would wake up sometimes at night, so homesick for mom, dad, and even that demon of a little brother, that I would weep with the best of them: all those brokenhearted opera singers for instance. Legolas would hear me or his sixth sense would kick in and he would trip silently down the halls to my cozy little room and hold me like a little baby until Lindwen came to administer a soothing drink.
The tiniest of rustles made me look up from Legolas' shoulder and I saw Rhov standing at the base of the tree, watching both of us with such a smile as I have never seen. It held the most peculiar expression of understanding and compassion with a tinge of jealousy. I smiled weakly back and, before I knew it, he had strode forward, bent in front of me and wiped my tearstained cheek with the edge of his robe.
I could not see Legolas' face but the two must have come to an agreement because Rhov lifted me into his arms and Legolas stood up and without a word, the two began walking up the path that so many feet had trodden on already speaking in two different dialects of Elvish that seemed to blend like harmonious music.
I must have fallen asleep because I woke up in my room with a singing Arwen next to me. She saw me awake and leaned forward to brush a stray hair that had fallen on my face. "Little sweetheart, you are like Rhov. When you are sad, I cannot feel anything but sadness. You have such love in your heart for all here, even for serious, brooding Elladan that it must be quite hard for you to hear a loved one is leaving, perhaps forever. But come, you do not want Legolas' last days to be memories of you crying because he is embarking on an adventure. When they leave, you and I will go far out into the woods and howl our grief to the wind until the wolves are silent for our noise."
I blushed as I remembered that Arwen's love was leaving as well. Legolas was just a brother but to see a darling leave on such a dangerous quest was beyond my strength. "I am sorry, Arwen. I had forgotten…"
She held up a hand and smiled. "It is night so there is no reason to get up but I expect you at breakfast with a smile on your face and that light in your eye we all love so well."
Arwen stood up and blew out the one candle. Just as she was about to open the door, something struck me. "Arwen, you haven't told Rhov yet, have you?"
"Of course not! Do you really believe that I could tell the most precious of secrets to such a one as Rhov?" And with that enigmatic question, Arwen shut the door silently and left me grinning up at the ceiling with the age-old feeling of resignation coupled with the peaceful contentment of half-sleep. Within five minutes, I fell asleep with the sound of a tenor singing an ancient, dark language somewhere out in the starry nigh.