The next morning, Nira awoke with the sun streaming through the window. Legolas was already awake, waiting on her to get up. He kissed her forehead before pulling away from her. He pulled on a shirt and threw her another. She ignored it and walked into the bathroom. She turned on the shower and stripped her jeans off before getting in.
She washed her hair and rinsed the shampoo out, closing her eyes. She was about to open her eyes, when someone was kissing her. She opened her eyes to see Legolas grinning at her. She turned away from him quickly.
"Legolas," she hissed at him. "We aren't married, yet. We can't be seeing each other like this."
"Nira," he growled into her neck, making her heart skip a beat. "We already were married."
"No, you were married to me, but I am not married to you."
"Why don't we get married today? Everyone we want to be here is here."
"Elrond and Galadriel."
"They'll understand. You have your friends here that can't be there if we get married in Middle Earth."
"Why do you have to be so damn logical?"
"Because I'm in love with Lady Ravenclaw."
"What about your family?"
"They've already seen me marry you. Besides, they might have left for the Undying Lands."
"Can't you give me something that could be plausible to not get married here?"
"Gandalf isn't here," he offered.
"Yes," she replied in triumph, "Gandalf isn't here."
"But his portrait is."
"Damn it. Is there any way to get out of having the wedding today?"
"No, Nira. The war is over. Why should we wait any longer? I love you. You love me. You gave me your heart."
"Fine. We'll go talk to Minerva when I'm done in the shower. Now, get out."
She shoved him backwards. He kissed her neck before following her orders. She finished up and got out, drying herself off. She walked back into their room and got dressed. Nira, Legolas, and Haldir walked toward the Headmaster's office. Nira stopped abruptly before turning the other direction, Legolas and Haldir following after her.
She started up a staircase that led high into Ravenclaw Tower, running passed pictures that looked less like those from the rest of the school. They reach the top of the staircase, finding an empty landing. Any other student would have gone back down the stairs but Nira looked at the painting on one wall.
"That's Rivendell," Legolas whispered beside her. "A much older Rivendell, at least five hundred years ago, because the gazebo isn't in the painting."
"There are elvish runes on the frame," Haldir observed.
"Wit beyond measure is Man's greatest treasure," Nira read. "If thou has wisdom, then speak clear, if you wish to enter here. Brains is what you prize, heir of founder wise. If you were to see Lady Ravenclaw, what would thee her call."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Haldir asked.
"It was once thought that every founder hid a chamber in the castle that only their true heir could open. The Chamber of Secrets was Slytherin's. It was thought that Gryffindor's would be The Hall of Courage or Bravery, Hufflepuff's was never guessed, but Ravenclaw's was said to be The Chamber of Wisdom or The Chamber of Knowledge. People have tried to find hers the hardest, to know all Ravenclaw knew would be a great discovery."
"So what does the inscription mean?"
"We need the password to enter. 'Wit beyond measure is Man's greatest treasure' was one of Ravenclaw's beliefs. 'If thou has wisdom, then speak clear, if you wish to enter here.' That probably means that wisdom is needed to know the password, because that is what she prized. What would we call her is we saw her?"
"Lady Ravenclaw?" Legolas offered.
"My Lady?" Haldir continued.
"No, those would be too obvious," Nira replied, pacing. "It would have to be something the heir would understand."
After three hours they were still at the painting, trying to get the password figured out. Nira was still pacing while Haldir and Legolas were sitting on the floor.
"I'm so stupid," Nira snapped suddenly, making the pair jump.
"You figured it out?" Haldir asked.
"Yes, why I didn't see it before I don't know," Nira replied. "It says, 'Brains is what you prize, heir of founder wise.' That could refer to any heir, including the Grey Lady."
"How does that help us?"
"It's written in elvish. Only someone from Middle Earth would have understood it."
"So, we need her title in elvish?" Legolas asked.
"No," Nira replied laughing. "When she left Middle Earth, she only had one heir. What would that heir call her? Naneth."
The painting moved forward to reveal a large chamber beyond. The trio walked in, closing the portrait behind them.