Rivendell was as beautiful as Legolas descriptions and Adessa's imagination combined, she was in awe of the sweeping avenues and the delicate arching bridges and all around her the music of waterfalls and songbirds wintering in the branches still adorned with delicate green leaves. Her cloak hid her wings from view bt in the company of Legolas and dressed as she was she didn't stand out in any way. A huge difference from the handful of towns and villages they'd stayed in along the way. Adessa was surprised that her neck didn't break with as many times as she turned to view everything she could. She knew that she wasn't like the owls who could actually sweep their heads around so fast that they looked like their head rotated three hundred and sixty degrees. With every passing minute, her eyes widened a little more and she talked really fast and kept her voice at a low whisper when she talked with Legolas. Adessa's smile widened when they passed another archway together.
"This place is so much more than I imagined!" She said excitedly, turning to Legolas with a wider smile to match her eyes. "I just want to explore everything here, but I know I should probably focus... Do you think we would be able to see Lord Elrond today?"
Adessa's gray cloak rustled as she tried to contain her excitement and keep her wings hidden until they had met with Lord Elrond and she could understand what she was, if she had any special abilities other than taking power from the moon's brilliant light, and where her memories had been stashed away. Legolas gave her an amused smile as he led her towards the central building which he had explained was the Last Homely House but had declined to explain what that meant. It was obvious to Adessa that there was nothing homely or plain about it and it certainly wasn't the last house. The gardens in between the buildings were tended to by Elves dressed in a variety of colors mostly ranging to pale blues, greens and mauves. "I don't know if we will see him today. He is an important personage and much occupies his time but he won't make us wait too long. He likes guests."
Adessa nodded slowly and looked longingly at the gardens, meaning to explore them and the waterfalls once their business was concluded. "Taking care of his people and worrying about the everyday matters of being a Lord, I wouldn't be surprised." Adessa replied, following Legolas willingly to wherever he led her too. "But he must be a humble and caring leader to command the respect and loyalty of his kin... I can tell you admire him."
Her eyes continued to look around as they walked and shifted her knapsack on her shoulder. Taking in the sights would definitely be a must after they got to their lodgings. "Would you accompany me around Rivendell Legolas? I'm pretty sure you'd like to rest after our trip and it wouldn't even have to be today." Adessa started, a pale shade of pink tinting her cheeks as she clasped a hand to the strap of her knapsack. "But I would enjoy your company more."
He nodded and led her up the stairs where a retainer greeted Legolas in the High Elven language, Adessa was surprised that she understood every word. She hadn't realized she would be able to. The retainer invited them into the Last Homely House and greeted Legolas as Prince Legolas, son of Thranduil, High Lord of Mirkwood. "It pains me to say that Lord Elrond is not here presently. He was asked to mediate a dispute between two Lords of Men and won't be back for a day or so. But we will ready rooms for yourself and your Lady as befits your station."
"Thanks your Eluriel. The Lady Adessa would like a private room and a bath before the evening meal if it's not too much trouble." Legolas replied smoothly.
Only a flicker of Eluriel's green eyes betrayed his surprise that Adessa was to be quartered separately from Legolas, he had assumed they were a bonded pair but he bowed and motioned for them to follow him. He looked over his shoulder at Adessa. "My apologies Lady Adessa. We do not have many rooms fit for a Lady and many of our maids are wintering in Lothlorien but I'm sure I can find a maid to assist you in a day or so."
With a blink, Adessa looked at Legolas in surprise, not having known that she had been traveling with an Elven Prince the entire time. He hadn't given her any clue as to his lineage and she never would have guessed of his bloodline was that of royalty. She let it go with a slight shake of her head as their guide led them further into the buildings and up the hallways. "Please don't go to any trouble on my account and please don't take any offense to my words, but I won't require any assistance." Adessa stated with a kind smile and a smooth wave of her hand. "I will graciously accept any space, no matter how small it may be, I don't wish to be a hindrance."
She didn't want to let it be known about her wings until after she had met Lord Elrond and found out more about herself and the nature of her kinsmen. Eluriel inclined his head and opened an ornate door carved with flowers and vines that appeared to live on the pale wood. The room he showed her into was far from a small space. It was not so large as to be cavernous nor so small as to be cramped. A large four poster bed and canopy with lush curtains sat to one side across from a large welcoming fireplace, rugs in reds, browns and greens kept feet from cold stone and a few comfortable looking chairs dotted the space. There was a wardrobe on the same wall as the bed and a innocuous looking door led into a small room with a simple bath. "I will come for you at dinner." Eluriel said and shut the door as he left with Legolas, presumably to show him to another room.
Adessa gave a slight nod before walking to the nearest piece of furniture and ran her hand over the wardrobe, gazing at the intricate designs and patterns in awe. She had to look at everything before she placed her knapsack on the edge of the bed and then walked to the balcony to push aside the transparent curtains to gaze upon a pure sight. Before her very eyes the mountain range stretched as far as she could see. The waterfalls thundered in the distance sent up cool sprays that was carried off by the breeze. The sun's rays flickered through the clouds and between the trees, giving the valley a beautiful glow. "This is such a beautiful place, I could enjoy staying here and never leaving." Adessa mused, letting the curtains fall again and going to the simple bathroom to see what it looked like.
She was pleased to find it and quickly walked to the wardrobe to find a suitable attire that wouldn't reveal her wings. What Adessa found made her nod and finger the smooth fabric gently. The clothes consisted of a slimming, sky blue dress with flowing sleeves that transitioned to a darker blue the further down the arm they went and slits up the sides until they reached her hips. A silver sash with silver swirls and vines embroidered on it would be wrapped around her waist and to finish off the look she pulled out a pair of soft gray slippers and the black bird diadem she found in the chest at her crystal caves. These clothes she took to the bathroom, set them aside to put on later and shut the door behind her. "Finally a bath and clean clothes." Adessa said with a smile. "I'm going to have to get these washed myself."
She peeled her travel worn clothes from her body, took a soft cloth and found the water basin to fill it with water so she could gently scrub the dirt from their travels away. The scented lavender soap left a soft, airy smell on her skin and it relaxed her. Her hair she wet slowly, being careful not to splash her wings and soon she finished her bath and dried herself completely. Hanging up her towel, Adessa dressed quickly and fluttered her wings until her hair was completely dried. She then ran a brush through her hair so she could center the diadem in the middle of her forehead. Leaving the bathroom and tying the sash around her waist, Adessa folded her wings in close to her back until they seemed to vanish with the hues of blue and silver in her dress. "This worked out in my favor." She laughed softly and then waited at the balcony to view the scenery until she was retrieved for dinner.
She didn't have long to wait, a soft knock on the door alerted her and then Legolas was letting himself in. He was dressed in a knee length tunic in Dark blue and softer blue trousers with knee high dark gray boots a wide brown belt snugging the tunc in and showing off a trim figure that walked silently across to stand beside her at the balcony railing. "I never tire of the view in Rivendell." He said quietly.
"I couldn't agree with you more." Adessa said with a pleasant sigh as the sunlight shifted in the valley. "This is such a peaceful place, I can't imagine anyone ever wanting to leave." She clasped her hands in front of her and then gave him a sideways smirk as her eyes scanned the waterfalls.
"You never told me you were a Prince, my Lord, though I don't think it would have changed anything... I still would have followed you to the most beautiful view I've ever seen in Middle Earth."
He gave a wry frown and shook his head. "I am a Prince in Exile if I am anything. I disobeyed my Father and I left the Wood. In the world I am Legolas the Elf. It is up to me to make of myself something again."
Adessa was taken aback and looked at Legolas with a saddened expression. She gently placed a hand on his forearm and looked into his vibrant blue eyes. "I'm sorry Legolas, I didn't know." She started quietly. "If there's anything I can do to help please tell me."
He rested his hand over hers and smiled at her, not the sad half smile she was used to or the comforting one but a true smile just because he was happy and it transformed his face and made her knees weak. "You already have Adessa. I had resigned myself to a solitary journey, you have made it infinitely more enjoyable."
"It's been my pleasure Legolas."
If he kept smiling at her like that, Adessa's heart would surely burst from her chest. His hand was warm and his eyes such a captivating blue that she felt like she'd be swept away in them and would never find her way back to the lands of sunlight and lush green grasses. She could swear that her heart was thumping loudly and she hoped that Elf ears couldn't hear that well. A light blush painted her cheeks and was broken by a knock on the door announcing Eluriel's return. Adessa coughed softly and gave Legolas another small smile before returning to the main room with him and leaving through the bedroom door.