Chapter 20
Adrianna sat upon a stone white bench in Rivendell overlooking a clear crystal stream. Her thoughts of the many battles she had faced were no longer plaguing her mind as the peaceful songs of the elves of the Homely House soothed her battle ringing ears.
The Faye watched small, shimmering silver fish swimming up the stream, their bodies gleaming through the water and reflecting the light of the sun.
The chestnut haired Princess stood up and soothed her long cream dress, before making her way over the bridge and slowly wandering across a grassy area in the Elven city.
News of Frodo making a recovery had calmed her worried thoughts for the hobbit, and she had not seen any of the Fellowship for the past two days, so that she could have some time on her own and some time for her thoughts. She longed to see Frodo to see that he was alright, she believed Lord Elrond was healing him well, but she couldn't wait to see him with her own eyes to reassure herself even so.
The Princess looked up at a grand, white stone arch above her and listened closely to the harmonious voices of the elves. She could not understand what they were singing, but she knew the tone was one of peace and joy.
Adrianna remembered the ride back to Rivendell from the Black Gates had taken twelve sleepless nights and thirteen long days. She couldn't even remember if she had spoken to anyone, and if she did she could not remember any conversations.
She assumed Aragorn was with Arwen and Legolas with Gimli. Gandalf and Sam, she knew, would be awaiting news of Frodo, along with Merry and Pippin.
Elrond had sent a messenger to The Glade of Tarasara to alert the Faye's of her safe return, and knew that a few guards would arrive within a few days to escort her back to her home land. This thought then made her think of going in search of her friends, to spend some time with them before she had to leave.
"My Lady." The calm voice appeared with the light and soft footsteps of an elf, and Adrianna turned to see a fair elleth standing before her. "Master Baggins has awoken, and is ready to be seen now."
Adrianna thanked the elleth before darting off in the direction of the Healing Wing of the Homely House. She picked up the bottom of her skirt as she climbed the stairs and dropped the hem once she pushed open the vast double doors. The Faye tore down the corridor, apologizing to the startled elves she passed by them. The Princess climbed another set of stairs before slowing to a walk when she noticed Gimli and Legolas walking in front of her. She quickly caught up with them to continue the walk towards Frodo's quarters, and Gimli turned to look at who had joined them.
"Princess," He ginned cheerfully towards her. "I have indeed missed your company these past few days."
"As have I." Legolas added, smiling kindly.
Adrianna smiled at both of them in return, "I apologize for my absence." She replied, "But I have been keeping to my thoughts. I hope all is well with you both?"
Gimli chuckled, "My stomach has seen meals grander than it believed to see again!" He replied, "And goblets full of the most splendid of wines!"
"I'm glad," She smiled down at the dwarf before looking to Legolas. "And you?"
Her emerald eyes met his clear blue ones, "Worried for both my companions." He replied sincerely, "Frodo's health and your whereabouts, Ade."
Adrianna blushed lightly before turning to look at the path ahead, "I have told you before, my Lord, you need not to be concerned about me."
"I cannot help but to be concerned, my Lady." He replied honestly, capturing her gaze once again. "When one as fair as yourself goes unheard and unseen for days."
Adrianna blushed again, "Well..." He had rendered her speechless! His eyes sparkled with amusement, and a small, but triumphant smile crossed his face. Adrianna tried to hide her smile as she turned bashfully away from his captivating blue eyes.
"Your words of affection uninterest this dwarf," Gimli huffed. "Keep yourselves to yourselves whilst others are around!" He then chuckled, "But of course, words should no longer be needed! The Prince swept this Princess off her feet along with that Mumakil!"
Her blush deepened even more. Especially as Gimli was completely right! But she had been swept off her feet by the elf before the incident with the Mumakil.
Finally, they reached the wooden door leading to the room Frodo was inside. It was spread open, and the joyous laughter of Gandalf and Merry and Pippin was audible from inside. As the Faye stepped inside, she beamed at the healthy looking hobbit sitting up in bed. His two friends jumping on the soft bedding, fighting over who would be the first to hug their long lost friend. Legolas and Gimli stepped inside after the Faye and stood beside her, their joy at seeing Frodo as plain as day.
It wasn't long until Aragorn joined them. The Ranger lent against the door frame, crossing his arms and grinning from ear to ear at seeing the rejoicing hobbits, he stood beside Gimli as the eight members of the Fellowship crowded around the bed.
Then Sam joined them. And the Faye could see the emotion in the strawberry blonde's eyes at seeing his best friend alive and well. Obviously, these two had shared so much adventure and danger together, and as Adrianna couldn't quite reach Frodo, she enveloped Sam in a hug, kissing the top of his forehead as her eyes filled with tears. She then moved to stand behind him, releasing him once Frodo came over to wrap his arms around the Faye's waist before he turned to embrace his long-term friend; Sam.
The Fellowship then left the enclosed room and stepped out into the hallway, and Adrianna felt as though she needed to address her departure to her friends. But seeing them all rejoicing, she couldn't bear to say anything!
They all left Frodo's chambers soon after the reunion, and as Adrianna departed from the others to go back to the stone bench by the bridge, she was suddenly joined by the mischievous two of the hobbits.
"Where are you off to on such a lovely evening?" Pippin asked.
"Just for a walk." Adrianna replied.
"May we join you?" Merry asked, "Or would you prefer it if we arranged a meeting with a certain Prince?"
The Princess halted her footsteps and looked sternly at the two hobbits, "If you're going to tease me then I will walk alone." As she walked past the two, they began to chuckle and the Faye could hear them scamper away. She sighed and continued to walk down the stone staircases and out of the double doors into the fresh air. The chestnut haired Faye then crossed the stone bridge and perched herself on the marbled bench once again.
Already she missed her friends. Of course she was going to attend Aragorn's coronation and wedding to Arwen, so she would see her friends again there but, what about afterwards? What about Legolas?
Perhaps she should go and find her friends and spend her last couple of days with them before she left Rivendell. As she got to her feet, the sound of horses hooves reached her ears as three brown mares rode into Rivendell, carrying three Faye warriors on their backs.
Adrianna turned on her heel and dashed away from her guards, making her way back over the stone bridge and towards the archery range. Upon not spotting any of her friends there, she ran towards the dining hall, and then their individual chambers where she knocked politely on their doors. Upon receiving no reply from Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Merry or Pippin, Adrianna went in search of Frodo, Sam and Gandalf. This didn't take her very long, as the wizard and the hobbits were still in Frodo's chambers.
All three looked up when she knocked gently on the door. They smiled, and Adrianna took the gesture to enter. "I came to bid you all farewell," She began, clasping her hands in front of herself. "I am expecting to leave Rivendell at sunrise."
The light in both hobbits' eyes seemed to vanish when they looked at her, and their smiles slowly fell from their faces. Adrianna felt her own do the same, and her vision blurred with tears.
"My dear!" Gandalf rose to his feet and made his way towards her, placing one arm around her shoulders comfortingly. "Don't cry, I'll come and visit you in The Glade of Tarasara before Aragorn's coronation and we can travel back together."
Adrianna nodded, "Thank you." She sniffed away the last of her tears and threw her arms around the two hobbits as they came towards her. "And I can't find the others to say goodbye."
"If we see them we'll let them know." Frodo stated, smiling sadly up at the Faye.
The Princess nodded and hugged Gandalf quickly before leaving the room, smiling tearfully at them before she continued on down the corridor to look for the others.
Adrianna prepared to leave Rivendell, her mothers' white mare - Persephone - still remained in the stables from when she had first arrived for Elrond's council meeting. She patted the mare before running her fingers through its grey mane. Adrianna was very upset about leaving. She had searched for her friends for the remainder of the evening but Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Merry and Pippin were nowhere to be seen.
She assumed Aragorn was spending time with Arwen, Merry and Pippin were causing mischief somewhere and Legolas was with Gimli having a competition of some sort.
Adrianna saddled Persephone before leading the white mare out of the stables, picking up the long skirt of her emerald dress as she stepped through and over the piles of hay.
She smiled when she saw Merry and Pippin approaching her, "My Lady, don't you look beautiful." Pippin smiled cheerfully.
Adrianna halted her horse a little ways away from her Faye guards so she could speak privately to the hobbits. "Thank you, kind Sir." She bowed her head respectfully. "May I inquire as to your whereabouts this past evening?"
"Feasting!" Merry stated, "And, of course, these trees couldn't climb themselves now, could they?" He winked, gesturing behind him towards the tall willow trees.
Adrianna nodded in understanding, "What about the others? Do you know where they've been?"
Pippin and Merry exchanged a few glances, "Why I believe Sam and Gandalf have been with Frodo." They explained, "Aragorn has been with Lord Elrond and the Lady Arwen."
"And your Prince has been with Gimli, skipping stones and doing other contests."
Adrianna nodded her head, "Well, I was looking for you all to say farewell." Tears brimmed once again when she saw their faces drop, "I am returning home to The Glade of Tarasara."
"When?" They asked in chorus.
The Princess gestured towards the reins, "Now."
"You've not been able to say farewell to them?" Merry asked.
Adrianna shook her head, "And I am afraid it is too late, I must go." She saw Lord Elrond gracefully walking out of the regal double doors, towards her, to bid her farewell. "If you see Aragorn would you tell him farewell? And Gimli? And tell Legolas..." Persephone shook her mane, momentarily distracting the Faye. "And tell Legolas I said goodbye too." She knelt down and wrapped her arms around the hobbits shoulders, "I will see you at Aragorn's coronation." As she left the hobbits side and thanked Lord Elrond for his kindness and hospitality, she bid farewell to those of Rivendell before mounting her white mare and riding out of the gates with her company of Faye guards, back to The Glade of Tarasara.
A/N: A slightly sad goodbye :'( But at least there was a little fluff in there for you all ;P Thank you to everyone who has reviewed, favourited and alerted!
Also, if anyone reading is a fan of Assassin's Creed, please check out the Poll on my profile. I'm thinking of writing an AltairxOC story, and would love to know your thoughts and preferred OC :)
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