AN: Sorry it has taken a little longer to post this update, Zoe and I have been a little busy with all the school work our teachers think we need. Thank you for the favs and comments, we hope you enjoy this chapter :)
Chapter 4
Daylight came much quicker than most would like, as the sun broke over the mountains.
"Why must da sun be so feckin bright?" moaned the she-hobbit as she rolled onto her stomach trying to block out the sun.
Bee growled in response not yet ready to rise, "how about I knock you out, then the sun won't be so bright"
"No tanks, but I'm grateful for de offa"
Aragorn, who had already risen, washed and eaten, threw a look of disdain at the two mumbling figures. "Legolas! Get your charges up! We are losing daylight!"
Bee sat up and scrubbed at her eyes with the heels of her hands "How can we be losing daylight? We only just got it!"
"if you want food, you'd better hurry up or I'll pack it away"
"Food?" Celandine hurried rolled herself over, ending up lolloping over Bee.
"Oh, get off me you lump" Bee gave her a shove. The little hobbit was lighter than she thought and the shove pushed her harder than she planned. In fact she shoved her so hard she rolled right off the tree root and fell heavily to the forest floor.
"Celandine!" Bee leapt nimbly after her. "Are you alright?!"
Celandine propped herself up on her arms, spitting out leaves and dirt "Wha did you do dat fur?" she got to her feet, glaring at Bee and brushing herself down. "I'm up noow, ya ha'py?"
"Amin hiraetha, Tithen pen, I didn't mean to (Im sorry, little one)"
"Yah, yah, where's da food?" Celandine asked bluntly, pushing past Bee. Bee smiled. Her friend was fine. She was angry and thinking of food, just as she always was.
Bee joined her friend around a barley lit campfire, glancing at the food boiling over it. Turning to the dwarf she scowled "Did you make this?" she took a whiff and winced at the smell "Yeah, that's defiantly the smell of dwarf broth. You should be ashamed"
Celandine let out an amused snort as she began to stuff her face, Gimli grumbled something quietly about stupid elves and their higher than thou attitude.
"Something you want to say Usquener? (Smelly one)" she questioned, causing the young hobbit to spit her mouth full of broth halfway across the camp, laughing in amusement.
Legolas snorted, agreeing with the young she-elves statement. Gimli shot around to look at his friend scowl present on his bearded face "What did she say?" he demanded stomping his foot in frustration. Legolas was at a loss for words, not sure whether or not to tell the dwarf.
"Don't worry about it my friend it is unimportant" he told him quickly, hoping to leave it at that.
Aragorn rolled his eyes at the display in front of him, becoming thoroughly fed up. Decisively, he strode to the fire, seized the pot and poured out the remaining broth on the ground. Ignoring Celandine's protests, he put the pot into his pack, dismantled the fire and began to head off.
"We have wasted enough time here! Our journey begins now!"
Legolas and Gimli hurried after him. Celandine and Bee exchanged a look before trudging wearily after them.
"Who gets up dis fecking early?" Celandine grumbled rubbing her hands over the face trying to rub the sleep from her eyes. Bee simply shrugged, paying more attention to the three men ahead of them than her friend.
"I wonder were dey are goin" she continued thinking out loud.
"As long as it's the opposite way to Mirkwood, I don't care"
"Even if ware goi'n to da crack a doom?" Celandine asked
Bee shuddered but her face remained set "yes. Even there."
A few feet ahead the dwarf was continuing to grumble about the two females now travelling with them.
The man and elf ignored his complaints, quietly discussing the women.
"Do you honestly believe she will return to Mirkwood with you?" Aragorn questioned.
Legolas's face was grave "if there is even a glimmer of hope that she will return, I must take it"
His friend nodded slightly understanding his friend, "And what will happen to her, once she is home?"
"Hopefully, she will take her rightful place on Mirkwood's throne and repair the damage she has done to her family"
"Your family will no longer rule?"
"No, not unless she chooses to marry a member of my family. I do not grieve the loss of the throne, nor will any member of my family."
Aragorn thought for a moment before a sly smile crossed his bearded face, "What if she were to marry you, my friend?"
Legolas's eyes balked at the prospect. "I do not think that is very likely" he spluttered, clearly thrown at the thought.
"You never know" Aragorn smirked at the look on Legolas' face. "And what about that hobbit friend of hers, where will she go?"
"That is no business of mine. She may go where she wishes"
"I don't think you will be rid of her at Mirkwood. She is a very close companion to the elf maiden"
"Hobbit's have no place in elvish kingdoms"
"I doubt the 'princess' will like that"
"She does not have to like it, that's the way it must be"
"Eh yoo der with pointy fecking ears! Ware ar we go'in?"
Legolas scowled and turned back to the hobbit "We have no set destination. We are following the trail of our two companions and the orcs who took them"
"Wat's da point in dat? Da arcs 'ave probably eaten 'im ba now"
"I do not think so. They took Merry and Pippin because they thought they had something they wanted" Gimli replied argumentatively.
"Gimli!" Aragorn reprimanded the dwarf for recklessly sharing such precious information.
The she-hobbit's face had lost its cheeky indifference and her eyes were wide. She looked younger than ever.
"Merry and Pippin? Is dat by any charnce Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrin Took?" she asked, voice suddenly faint.
"You know them?" Legolas queried.
Celandine's bottom lip began to shake but she turned away. "They were acquaintances. Nothing more" the shake in her voice belied the truth. The company's heart grew suddenly heavy.
Things were silent after that; occasionally glances were thrown back at the she-hobbit, with the she-elf stood closely by her side glaring at any who stared for too long.
Stopping for a rest the company was spread across a small area, Celandine off by herself looking at anything but the others.
It seemed for once that Legolas and Bee were standing close together without arguing "Amin dele ten' he (I'm worried about her)" she told him trying to glance his way. He shifted his gaze towards the young she-hobbit.
"Did she know them well?" he questioned.
"I don't know. As a rule we don't often speak of our past lives"
The two fell silent, nothing left to say between them. Gradually, as the awkwardness grew, Legolas drifted away, leaving the she-elf alone. Bee sat for a moment, inwardly torn. She wondered whether she go to her friend and comfort her, but she had nothing to say. Instead she remained seated waiting for her friend to re-join her.
Celandine watched the open land closely; she was remembering the shire and her friends. Thinking if Merry and Pippin had indeed been eaten by the orcs, hoping against hope. As she sat there, her mind drifted away.
-Flashback-
Celandine leaned into the door of her hobbit hole, pushing it open with her shoulder. The door swung open and she hurried out, little feet pattering on the pavement. She was almost to the gate when…
"Celandine Belladonna Puddifoot!" her mother's voice was loud enough to stir the whole Shire into fear. Celandine, however was a stubborn wee thing and had no fear of her elders in her, no matter how hard and how often it had been instilled in her. She turned on her heel, parked her hands on her hips and yelled back
"Whaaaat?!"
"Ur wearin ya bruthers clothes again" she growled in her hobbit drawl.
Celandine rolled her eyes; her mother had a habit of often stating the obvious.
"So what?" Celandine groaned, making an irritated hand gesture. Glancing at her mother she noticed her mother holding a bright pick dress in her hand. Celandine screwed up her face at the sight of it, "I'm nut wearin dat" she growled scowling.
"Yes, ye bloody well are, now bring ye arse bck inta da 'ouse now. Hoow many times 'ave I told ya? You've git ta look like a lady." Her mothers tone left no room for argument so she stomped back up the pathway, to her front door. Ripping the dress from her mothers hand she stomped inside to put on the offensive article of clothing. Muttering and swearing under her breath she pulled the uncomfortable garment on, hating it with every fibre of her being.
Her mother nodded approvingly as she exited the house once more this time in the dress, "Ya see love dats much be'er. It brings out da color of ya 'air" Celandine scowled at her mother rushing down the pavement and out of the gate, trying to get away from her mother as quick as she could. Once she was out of sight of the house, she grinned wickedly, yanked the dress up over her head and threw it into the bramble bush.
"Stupid dress" she said defiantly, dusting her hands together, thoroughly pleased with her cunning. She also pulled her hair out of the oppressive braid her mother had insisted on and cast the ribbon away as well. Picking back up into a run she headed in the direction of Farmer Maggot's field, where Merry and Pippin were waiting.
Reaching the field she jumped the fence with little problem smiling to herself as she heard the petty banter of her two friends playing a little further in.
"It's always me! Why is it always me? It was me who had to get the corn, me who got chased by the dogs, me who had to apologise to the mean old man! Why can't it be you for a change?"
'Because you're so good at it! You've had tonnes of practise after all…"
"Why you little…!"
Celandine emerged through the tall stalks of corn to find Merry and Pippin tussling on the ground.
"O' cut it oot ya two! yur doing me head een!"
The two stopped rolling around, looking up at the young she-hobbit that stood before them.
"Celandine!" they cried. They parted abruptly and leapt to their feet. They rushed towards her simultaneously, as if acting of one mind, and barrelled into her, hugging her tight. They hit her with such force that they tackled her to the ground.
"You're in your brothers clothes again" commented Merry.
Celandine rolled her eyes and affected an accent "Well done, Master Meriadoc. When it comes to stating the obvious you're at the top of the class" she strode around as the school house master was wont to do, hands firmly clasped behind her back. Pippin snorted loudly at his friend's expense.
"Me motha tried te get me to wear a dress" she complained flicking her hair again in a gesture in.
The boys erupted in laughter, seeing the expression on Celandine's face. "Can you imagine that Merry, little Celandine skipping around the fields in a pretty little dress picking flowers for her lovely mother" Pippin shouted loudly. Celandine, furious, held up a clenched fist, warning them to stop. They complied. Both of them had been cuffed round the ears by Celandine before and did not relish the experience.
"Shut up ya eejit, do ya want someone te find us?" hissed Celandine, making frantic shushing motions with her hands. The boys giggled quietly to each other. Celandine strode on ahead, leading the charge as usual. The boys hurried on behind her, fraught with excitement and anticipation. Mischief never lost its appeal. Today, they were going to set Farmer Maggot's chickens loose. Ever since he'd brought the birds back from Bree the younglings had been fascinated with them. They were such stupid birds, the younglings wanted to see their reactions. Chickens were always comedic. Finally getting clear of the claustrophobic corn stalks the three larrikins made it out into the open. And there it sat, Farmer Maggot's chicken coop. the latch glinted in the midday sun, practically calling to be undone. Merry and Pippin nudged Celandine forward.
"Go on, it was your idea!" they insisted
"Just cos yer too coowirdly" Celandine sniffed and straightened her shoulders in a display of boldness.
As she stepped forward she heard Merry say "She's gonna cop it so bad from 'er ma when she gets back"
Feeling a sudden rush of rebellion, Celandine quickened her pace and yanked the latch free, throwing the chicken coop door open. The result was rather anticlimactic for all the hype farmer maggot had stirred up about them. Instead of the sudden flood of feathers the three were expecting, the chicken's blinked up at Celandine dumbly, clucking uncertainly.
"Ar! C'mon ye eejits!" Celandine cried, kicking the coop.
The result this time was glorious. In fright the chickens surged out of the open door, flapping their gimpy little wings and squawking fit to burst. Merry and Pippin rushed forward, chasing the birds with unabashed delight. The fun went on for a while, scattering children and chickens half way across the fields. At the sound of an angry Farmer and barking dogs the chase abruptly stopped and the children fled. The Farmer was too old to chase them, and the dogs too far away to catch up. They escaped, laughing and nudging each other as they made their way home. Even when she arrived home and her mother sent her to bed without second supper because she'd come across her discarded dress in the brambles, the happy feeling did not fade. Celandine sprawled out on her bed, still softly laughing at the memory.
-End flash-back-
Celandine re-surfaced out of her daydream and back onto the real world, pulled back into consciousness by the sound of her friend's voice.
"What?" she asked, uncertain of what Bee had said.
Bee's eyes flashed momentarily with concern, "Just asking if you're okay. You seem a little moody"
"Oh ya. Jist tinking is all" Celandine said dismissively, playing down her anxiety.
Bee sat down next to her. "What are you thinking about?"
"My life befur… ya know I came 'ere. 'ow bout you?"
"What do you mean?"
"what wis yur life like?"
Bee's mind wheeled back into the past…
-Flashback-
Arquenniel Perianaya, daughter of Eöl looked upon the forest of Mirkwood from a tree perch. She sat, swinging her legs, trying to get some air into the heavy fabric of her long billowing dress. She pulled the cloth away from her legs, hitching it up to her waist. Her mother would have a fit if she could see her now, flashing her bare legs to all and sundry. But Arquenniel brushed that thought away like an irritating fly. No one was around to see so why did it matter? She scraped her long hair away from her neck, bunching it into a bun. Now that the cool wind flowed over her bare skin she felt much better, freer. She slid down from the tree, landing gracefully on her haunches. Her eyes flicked around the forest, mimicking the hunters she'd seen just days earlier. She pulled out her proffered bow and quiver of arrows, nocking an arrow in and looking for something to aim at. Catching a glimpse of a small deer she took aim, breathing deeply. "You know their looking for you?" Arquenniel jumped releasing her arrow too early, hitting a far off tree. She whirled around angrily, annoyed at herself for being startled and for missing the deer. But mostly she was annoyed at the person who startled her. When she turned around she found herself looking at the smirking face of Arbellason, her oldest and dearest friend. She found her anger dissipating.
"Arbellason, you idiot" she whapped him over the head with an open hand. "You ruined my shot!"
Arbellason gasped in melodramatic shock "Such uncouth language from the mouth of a lady! I am sure I shall faint clean away in shock" he flopped dramatically to the ground.
"Oh for the love of the Valar get up at once you look ridiculous" she growled as he continued to poke fun at her. Growing frustrated by her friends show she walked past him and began to walk deeper into the forest, further away from her home.
"I wouldn't if I were you 'My lady" Arbellason spoke mockingly picking himself off the ground.
"Your father is looking for you, apparently your presence is requested to meet the Noble family of Greenleaf" he finally spoke soberly. Arquenniel groaned, throwing her head back and yelling.
"Aaaargh! More pretentious nobles! Just what I need! Why is it that I can not be away for a single moment without my father coming after me with more torturous chores and tasks to fulfil?"
"That's what you get when you're the heir apparent. It's your duty" Arbellason spoke this as if reciting a tiresome poem, mimicking the often spoken words of the elders.
"Duty" she scoffed angrily "the eternal chain around my neck, the bane of my existence!"
"Indeed, one can only wish for your life my future queen. Whereas you would wish for one of poverty" Arbellason stated running a hand through his hair.
"I do not wish for a life of poverty Arbellason" she growled "I wish for life of freedom, to go where I please when I please not having to worry about duty and greeting nobles to my humble home" she spoke the final words with heavy sarcasm. She sighed "Is that too much to ask?"
Arbellason shrugged "all I know is that I was sent to fetch you and I must make you come" He took her hand and pulled her along. Grumbling she hurried after him. As they rushed along, Arbellason pulled her hair from the messy bun she'd bunched it into and smoothed the skirt of her dress down. She whacked his hands away.
"Leave me alone! What does it matter what I look like?"
"If you turn up looking like that, I'll get in the neck when I get back"
Arquenniel's eyes flashed cheekily "Amin uuma malia (I don't care)" she said brashly.
Arbellason smiled widely. "Yeah, but your father does"
Arquenniel grumbled but allowed him to continue tidying her up.
Not long after the two reached the large gates to the palace, the guards gave her a disapproving look before allowing them to pass through the gates.
Arquenniel growled, causing her friend to laugh at her.
"Do not laugh at me Arbellason, otherwise I will have you beaten for your disrespect" Arquenniel affected a royal accent; looking down her nose at him. The two were silent for a moment before erupting into giggles.
"No please…my lady I meant no disrespect" He laughed, playing along.
It didn't take long for the pair to reach the front steps, where they were met with a very unhappy looking elf. Arquenniel's smile immediately disappeared when she saw the scowl present on her father's face, his hands clasped behind his back.
"Thank you Arbellason, you are no longer required" Eöl king of Mirkwood said in a commanding tone. Arbellason gave a quick bow, giving Arquenniel a look that said 'good luck' before disappearing the way they had come.
"Aaye Adar (Hail father)". Her fathers face still did not change; he nodded slightly before turning indicating for her to follow. Arquenniel followed him quickly up the stairs coming up slightly behind him. "You failed to greet the Greenleaf's, your mother was most disappointed" she stayed silent, not know quite how to say. "They have retired to the lounge; your mother would like you to befriend their son Legolas."
She sighed heavily rolling her eyes, "What if I do not like him?" she questioned, already knowing the answer.
"You will be-friend him anyway. The Greenleaf's have been friends of the family for many centuries and you will show them some respect!" Eöl told her commandingly, leaving no room for any argument. Bowing her head so her father would not see her scowl, Arquenniel forced herself to reply. "In all my best, I shall obey you Ada" she said mechanically, reciting the words that had been drummed into her many a time, though she was loath to say them. The two entered the lounge, Arquenniel mumbling under her breath as she caught glance of the Greenleaf's sat around the room. The Kings attendant cleared his throat "Eöl, King of Mirkwood and Arquenniel Perianaya, daughter of Eöl and Nimthîriel, princess of Mirkwood" Her mother gave her a cold look before returning her attention to Minuialwen Greenleaf who was sat opposite her, in the centre room sofas. Bending down slightly her father whispered quietly "Remember your manners Arquenniel" he reminded her before straightening to his full height again and greeting the approaching elf Thranduil and his son Legolas. Thranduil and his son bowed their heads in deference. Arquenniel looked over the two elves with very little interest. Her gaze rested on Thranduil her father's oldest friend; he wore a long green velvet robe with a brown belt wrapped around his middle. His face was kind, laugh lines present in the corner of each of his eyes but it had the look that all noble elves carry. A look of pomposity Arquenniel thought derisively. Shifting her attention to the young elf boy at his side she noticed his long blond hair falling down his back, a few braids decorating it. His eyes were fixed on his father, as if intent on hearing the conversation. This made him immediately undesirable as a friend. Anyone who took such a keen interest in the affairs of adults would not be a very interesting person to talk to. He wasn't an ugly child, far from it; he had the clean crisp beauty of nobility that had always annoyed Arquenniel. He was dressed as a miniature of his father, though he had more of his mother about him.
Arquenniel was jolted out of her observation by the drone of her father's voice. She looked up to find him heading her way, Thranduil in tow. "Thranduil, allow me to introduce you to my daughter Arquenniel." He said grandly, gesturing to her.
"Saesa omentien lle, Arwen en amin" (pleasure to met you, my lady). Arquenniel was unsurprised to discover Thranduil spoke much like her father did, in a grand monotone. She tried her best to look interested, smiling and nodding.
"Your daughter is everything I expected" Thranduil told his friend. A smile graced her fathers face telling her she had done well in convincing his friend that she was a true lady of the court. Arquenniel was surprised to see her father smile for it was a rare occurrence. The last time he had smiled at her was her birthday, 100 years ago. She wondered if his face would crack because it was unused to the strain. Turning slightly Thranduil waved over the young elf boy who stood closely by, still seeming to have listened to everything that had been said. The boy approached slowly stopping at his fathers side hands clasped behind his back in a way that reminded Arquenniel of a much older elf.
"Arquenniel I would like for you to meet my youngest son Legolas" he stated proudly. Resisting the urge to roll her eyes Arquenniel smiled. Now she wondered if her face would crack under the strain of all these simpering grins. Legolas bowed suddenly, snapping forward at the waist as if shoved from behind. For a split second Arquenniel entertained the joyous thought that she'd broken him in half just by smiling at him. But he snapped back up straight almost instantaneously, face completely serious. Arquenniel could hardly believe he hadn't done it in comedy and had to try very hard not to splutter into a fit of giggles. Noticing his daughters slightly amused expression Eöl nudged her discreetly, Arquenniel glanced up at her farther, once again his smile had faded and was now an angry looking scowl telling her 'don't you dare'.
Arquenniel's face straightened immediately, turning back to look at Legolas "It is an honour to finally meet you" she said still finding it hard not to laugh.
"The honour is all mine, my lady" he said. The thought of having to spend time with the strangely bowing noble, made her scowl slightly. She did not find the idea appealing at all; he seemed just like any other noble her parents had introduced her to, however entertaining.
End flashback
"Bee…. Bee!... BEE!"
Bee felt a shove at her side and emerged from her day dream, blinking as if she'd just woken from a deep sleep. She looked down and found her friend scowling at her in worry.
"yoo a'right?"
"Yeah, yeah" she replied rubbing her face tiredly.
"What ar ye tinking bout?" Bee turned from her friend and looked back out into the distance.
"I was thinking about the first time I met Legolas" she admitted,
"Wait, ye knew dat pointy eared prack?" Celandine questioned disbelievingly, pointing obviously at the male elf who was sitting with Aragorn a few meters away.
Bee laughed at her friends, "Not really, I only met him once when I was younger" she confessed once again an image of a younger version of Legolas bow before her, she snorted to herself slightly.
"What?" Celandine questioned wanting to know what her friend suddenly found so funny.
Bee turned looking back at the other elf whom was now helping the other men set up camp for the night.
Laughing once more Bee got top her feet helping the she-hobbit up as well.
"Don't worry about it" she told her still smirking as she began making her way towards the others.