Languages:
'Valari words/ or Erika's mother tongue'
"Quenya/Sindarin"
"Westron/Common tongue"
Disclaimer: LOTR and Silmarillion are properties of J.R.R. Tolkien and Tolkien Estates. None of the songs used in the story are mine too and only borrowed for entertainment purposes.
A friend told me it's better to put the disclaimer on each chapter just to be on the safe side so I'm doing it despite saying I won't ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ thanks for your kind reviews. You have no idea how much I appreciate it. Our clinic is closed and the country where I'm in now is in nationwide lockdown due to the fast spreading virus, but I was busy with my ongoing online classes. Worst, I had a serious writer's block ('ಠ_ಠ) hope you guys are doing okay wherever you are. Everything's gonna be alright! Keep safe and remember to always take precautions because health is wealth. May the Father bless you all. Love you, guys!
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Chapter 8:
Bad Hair Day
Seriously. If you have experienced Youtube's weird side then for sure you know that there are things in the world that remains unexplainable, right? I mean the Nazca Lines? Area 51? Big foot? There are dozens of them out there, still unaswered and weird af. During the past hours, and I mean the uncounted and unnoticed days I've been on this island, some might say that all that has happened to me could be in the category of unexplainable things. I might have agreed, only, I know that my situation has an explanation and its name is freaking Amanda.
The woman in front of me who called herself earlier as Heledh is literally glowing like a glow stick. In a good way. And she is ab-so-lute-ly beautiful. She can almost give Adriana Lima a run for her money yet she don't look like a latina descent or caucasian even with her alabaster white skin. The glow she emits makes her look so ethereal and dreamy. I have my own self confidence but standing next to her makes me feel like I'm a patient who's about to kick the bucket. Her face have a natural blush, perfect facial bone structure paired with an equally perfect blemish free, silky smooth skin. Her long, wavy light blonde hair shines like strands of platinum. She doesn't look real! And you tell me she is just a healer and not a princess or some sort a high born person who came out of this world with a golden spoon on her mouth? The only unusual thing I noticed about her is the delicately pointed ears hiding beneath those thick tresses. But that's okay since I've seen some people in the internet with this kind of natural features albeit those where smaller than hers. I absolutely have no problems with it. I even thought it's cute.
Right now, I'm sitting on my bed while silently chewing the last of my bread and soup, contemplating about the situation I am in and trying to observe my surroundings now that I'm not in fight or flight mode. After they treat my injuries, the brunette guy doctor who single handedly restitched my leg strictly told me not to move so much. The guy with gold for a hair left after saying he will go and 'ask the cooks' to prepare a light meal for me. I didn't get a chance to ask him his name or even give him a simple gratitude for helping me. He did carry me back here and I believe it's not an easy thing to do. His beautiful blue eyes became stuck on my mind after the countless times our eyes met, and with all those times he gave me only kind glances and not pity. That guy was really beautiful, not only physically but I can somehow feel the depts of his soul or something like that. I can sense goodness in him. Call it an intuition, I don't know. His face, his pressence and even his touch gave me the sense of security. When he left the room, I had the urge to panic again but I managed to restrain myself and trusted the people around me. It's the only thing I can do for now to repay their kindness. Anyway, I could always ask these people about him later.
The beautiful doctor must have noticed me staring blanky in the air and she rested her hand at the top of my head in a motherly way, it made me remember and miss my own mother. "Young one, what is the matter? Do you have pain somewhere?" Her voice shows genuine worry and it made me smile a bit.
I shook my head. "Thank you very much, Ms. Heledh, but I'm fine. I just blanked out of my thoughts. Maybe I kinda felt sleepy after eating."
The woman gave a bright smile. "That is because you are still recovering. Let me take this dishes out so you can rest again. I will give you a sleeping draught so you can rest easy tonight and have your strength back in the morning. Do not worry for I will be here with you during the night and Lord Nestaron for the morning."
Curiously, I asked. "Is he the guy who helped me to fix my injuries?"
Her eyebrows slightly scrunched up in bemusement might be from my speech pattern, but what can i do? They speak so formal here. "Yes… he is the ellon who attended your wounds. Rest assured, he is very kind but quite strict when it comes to the well-being of his patients."
I nodded absent-mindedly. "They left so soon, I didn't even got a chance to thank them for helping me."
"There is no need to, young one. We will be happy enough to see you become well." She then took the dishes and the small table in front of me before heading out to the door. "I will be back to give you the sleeping draught." She said before gliding away. Why does everybody moves so graceful here as if they are dancing? Though it's not as dramatic as how ballet dancers do it but they certainly look like they are about to have a dancing flash mob by the way they all move. I noticed it when the others move to go out of the room earlier, from their hands that flows in each movement down to their footsteps that litteraly has no sound. Compare to their steps, mine could be the elephant running on stampede while they are the butterflies that sits in a flower. And we're not even talking about their fancy clothes. Ms. Heledh was wearing such an expensive looking long dress embroidered with gold and pearl studs! Don't take me wrong, she look really amazing in her mint green dress and I highly respect people who still honors their national garb. Just look at Japan, Korea, and India. They can even make a fashionable style with each of their own traditional clothes.
Ahh… I'm thinking so much.
I sighed discomfortably and leaned on the neatly piled pillows behind me. Turns out I crashed into a tree and ended up bruising my lungs. Thankfully there's no broken ribs or bones and I'll be able to recover in days if I'm very obedient. Now that I'm in the middle of something so familiar -a warm bed and a room made to accomodate a person- that I realize the situation I am in. What am I really gonna do next? Initially, I need to know where I am first. I will be here for the next few days but I can't stay here for a long time, right? I might need a map to see my exact location and to figure out how far should I swim to get back home. Or at least ask them if I can use a phone to call my family or to contact my home country. Do I need to confront Amanda again to take back her curse or do I need RPG to blow away her lair?
I rested my eyes in this strange, intricatedly designed ceiling as if I can find the answers of life there. Honestly speaking, I might sound too positive but deep inside I'm starting to be a little bit scared. There is a dread that's starting to grow within me that might be coming from the things I've seen so far. From how I can't see any modern facilities in this healing ward or from what I've seen outside this place or even just the way these people dress. As beautiful as they are, I can't help but to wonder who are they. Who are these people? Why is that they have no high ways outside? Why does everything looks ancient? Do they even have a wifi?
And what about my situation? Is there any other way to become normal again? What if I'm stuck with this curse for the rest of my life? I don't know what will happen next but what I do know is there's no way I'm gonna stop trying. Even if I have to swim the whole world just to find my way back, I will do it. I still need to see my family, to hug my mother and father or bully my brothers. To laugh with my friends and to get back to the norm. What I've seen and experienced underneath the ocean was incredible and breathtaking and amazing.
But those cannot even hold a candle to the smiles of my loved ones' faces no matter how much annoyance they could give me.
Ten minutes later, Ms. Heledh came back with a cup in hand filled with steaming hot drink which I gladly accepted. Soon enough after finishing it my consiousness resigned to its fate. Needless to say, I slept like a rock the whole night.
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He has been trying hard to the point he closed his eyes just to get some sleep. But for some reason, Glorfindel was left hopeless in his chambers. His thoughts are many and most of them are from remembering the young mortal's eyes meeting his own. Earlier that day he left her in the healing halls to procure a light meal from the kitchen but on his way back, he met Galdor and Lord Círdan who is trying to catch some details with Nestaron about the young woman's condition. The healer fill their inquiries but asked them to leave her questionings for tomorrow as he wanted her to have a rest. Elrond's apprentice asked Edraith to bring the food to the young woman, leaving Glorfindel not to have a reason to go back to her no matter how much he wanted to. It is also for the better and he will just visit her again by the next day.
The four of them decided to head to the Lord's workplace to discuss about many things, one was to hear the reports of the marchwardens and the scouts. So far there has been no attacks from the enemies or even sightings of white wolves in the surrounding borders and settlements. They vanished just as fast as they appeared two days ago. Feredir was confounded with all the things that is happening. Lastly they talked about how they will approach the young woman seeing that she is in a delicate state of health. She was prone to panic, but that was understandable. She is in an unfamiliar place and met some unlucky circumstances.
Glorfindel decided to tell them his observations on her strange accent since it might lead them to figure out where she came from. Nestaron took some points about her physical appearance, voicing some of Glorfindel's earlier thoughts, saying he have never seen features like hers from the people of Middle Earth. Her skin color was darker than the fair men in western lands but when Galdor stated she might come from the South Hitherlands, Círdan politely rejected the very idea, her skin might looked darker than the ones in Gondor or Rohan or the people of North Eriador but her appearance certaily does not look like a Haradrim, neither was her skin was as dark as theirs. Círdan has seen the young woman while she is asleep and had an impression of gentleness to her visage. Glorfindel agreed as he have heard pieces of her own language and confirmed it is not the language of the Southern Harad or even their kins in the east.
To answer all the puzzles in their mind, they decided to visit her after breakfast, sending first the wife and daughters of Feredir to help the edain on her personal matters and procure clothes from the seamstresses. Lady Heledh was already fond her and appointed herself to care for the young woman's nutritional health, as Galdor proudly says.
Erika she was called. Such a strange yet lovely sounding name. Equally unusual like the woman who owns it. Glorfindel wondered if there is a meaning behind it like theirs.
It might be his excitement to meet her again that kept his mind awake during that night. He just shrugged and gave up having a sleep. He does not need it that much anyway, being an elf, but it is something he is fond of doing ever since he was a young elfling. Even the Lord Oromë once said he have such a unique hobby. A polite way of saying he is weird (as Erestor once said). He will sleep under the tree, in the tree or if he can and he is not busy, Glorfindel will even sleep in the stable barn at the top of the fresh hays. He became a subject of pranks by the sons of Elrond due to that habbit and was oftenly seek out by the twins. Trying to discover his new favorite spots to take a nap. He will even resort on sleeping in the roof of Elrond's highest watch tower in Imladris if that can help him to ditch the twins and have a peaceful afternoon. Of course a traitor of a niece named Celebrían would helped her beloved sons on their journey to wage a war on him but that didn't do anything to stain his undefeated reputation and would always outsmart them. Artanis would sometimes halfheartedly reprimand them, saying the House of Finarfin will not make anything that can strain their relationship with the much older House of Findis. But Celeborn the wise that he is would only smirk and will not say anything, leading his spawns to believe they have his blessing.
Glorfindel rised up from his bed, fixing it perfectly before he took the neatly folded tunic in the marble dressing table next to his bed and tied the belt of his sword and dirk on his side before heading out to the night sentries guarding the city entrance. At least here, he can do something worthwhile than tossing and turning on his bed.
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Waking up in a fit of pain was not the best way to start a day but the only one to blame here is me. The sleeping me decided to turn and sleep on my stomach which is not a good idea at all because of my injuries. But who would deny that is the most comfortable sleeping possition while hugging arm and knee a soft fluffy pillow?
I took slow deep breaths but at least ten minutes just like how the brunette guy doctor told me yesterday. Come to think of it, how many hours did I slept? I can certainly hear happy chirping birds from outside. Did I sleep till the next day? Damn. Stupidity aside, I do feel little bit better than the last time I decided to exodus. I carefully lifted myself up from the bed and sat upright on the side, cracking my joints and my toes along the way. Taking my chances, I stretched slowly and was happy enough when I feel a little discomfort but definitely no pain. Whatever medicine they made me take, it was highly effective.
Pushing it further, I stood up and tested the injuries in my leg. There it was quite painful but nothing unbearable. The steps I could take was limited and small but it was a good start.
I stopped at the vanity near me and just rested. Not bad for someone who's been stiched just the past night. And now that I think of it, it was me who spoilt the recovery of these injuries, running away and falling off from a wall just to get away from this place. I did more damage than fixing them. But what can I do? I didn't know who these people are and I chose to take the negativity road by thinking the worst of them. I even thought of them as human traffickers. Really amazing.
Anyway, now that I'm in a better shape than the last time I met my helpers, I could properly give my thanks. I just hope that I could meet them again. Specially that man with a golden blond hair.
Out of nowhere, I opened one of the drawers of this fancy looking marble vanity and I was thrilled to find something I can totally use.
'Ooh, a scissor!' This could help me with my hair problems. And though initially this hair helped me a lot by covering my birthday suit, there's no use of keeping them at this length now that I could get a proper clothing. Thank God I kept some of the pearls I found since I could use it as a bargain for some shirts and pants or even some small necessities. Looking behind me, I was relieved to find the now dried but untouched DIY leaf pouch in the bedside table.
That was the time Ms. Heledh came into the room with a tray in her hands filled with food drinks. The smell of the food wafted in the room and my stomach rumbles.
"Good morning." I greet her with a smile and she return it warmly back to me.
"Gi suilon, penneth. A lovely morning as well." She placed the breakfast in the vanity and pulled the chair so I can sit on it. "While I am trilled to see you feeling well, you shouldn't be pushing yourself and standing like this yet." I sat slowly on the chair with a smile.
"Thank you very much, Ms. Heledh but I feel better. I'm afraid if I don't strech myself, I'll turn into a statue."
The woman laughed merrily and good heavens that sounds really beautiful. "Silly child. But come now and break your fast. You must eat slowly and take your time. I will come back again to take your dishes out and give you a medicine for pain. Also, someone will come here to give you clothes."
She is so kind that I can't help but to hug her lightly. "Thank you very much again for your kindness, but I do hope you will not tire yourself from taking care of me. You did tell me that you will stay with me through the night. Please take a breather and rest. I promise to behave myself." I felt her surprise on the sudden contact and for a second there I was afraid she will not welcome it but I was glad when I felt her hug me back. One hand was on the top of my head again.
"You are most welcome, dear one." I took the initiative of pulling myself away from her. "Now, eat your food and remember to take it slowly. I'll be back later."
I voiced my gratitide again before she left. My stomach grumbled again shamelessly as I get a whif of the food's mouth watering smell. I dig in first the clear vegetable soup and almost drink because it's just sensational. And then I took a one slice of grilled carrot and fish. There was a bread too and a small saucer of what looks like a jam. They are heavenly and I decimated everything without any trace left. Soon enough I was drinking the tea that goes with the breakfast, finally feeling like a whole person now that my stomach is full. Thirty minutes or so might have passed since I took the tip of Ms. Heledh seriously. Anyway that's the least I could do as a good patient.
After that I set the dishes at the corner of the vanity and open the drawer where I found the scissor. I checked out for the other drawers and was glad to find a wooden hair comb. Checking myself out in the mirror, I finally see myself clear and was relieved to see that it is still me, just a little bit more lean than the last time I remember. My arm still has a bit of soft baby fats but nothing like the deadly weapons I used to have. If Amanda just remove all the evilness in her blood, she could really be the real life fairy godmother everyone wished for if she can magically change other people's appearance like this. For a moment I could kiss her but after that I will also punch her lights out.
Well forget about her for now. I need to focus on this hair.
I wasn't really a fan of long hair. I like to keep them short all the time since my workplace required us to always keep our hair in a tight bun. I could cut it now until my jaw line, that's always my prefered length. I parted my hair in two sides and checked out the things I can do. This is a really long one so I have a lot of designs to chose. A layered cut perhaps? A full fringe? Or too Asian? A side bangs might be good. Anyway if I don't like what I will do, I can always cut it short.
I decided to test the waters and cut four inches until my upper waist. It didn't do anything that much and it's still frustratingly long and thick and wavy. Argh, I swear, the first thing I'm gonna go when I return is to my favorite salon and have it relaxed. At least enough to tame the waves. I decided to go with a wispy bangs and cut the sides until my shoulders to frame my face a little bit. It looked cute with the long hair so no regrets there, for sure it will also go with the short one I originally plan and it's not as if this is my first time having a fringe.
I was about to cut it short again until my breast when three histerical blonde ladies decided to shriek in horror. I jumped in surprise and the comb flew out my hand.
'What?! What is happening?!' I too panicked.
"Young one, what are you doing?!" One blonde came to me and removed the scissor from my hand. "Why are you doing this to yourself?!" She asked, horror still written on her lovely face.
"Oh, mother look at what she has done!" One gasped and forlornly knelt down to touch the fallen hair next to my feet.
"Mother?" I mouthed. Wuuut? This beautiful young woman is her mother!? She does not look a year older than me!
"Oh, sweet Elbereth…" the other one said with two hands on her mouth.
"Young one, why must you do this to yourself? Are you in grief? Do not let the woes of your heart destroy you. For the world might be full of darkness and sadness but there is always a light. Find it within your heart the courage to fight the shadows." She was waaay taller than me and thus when she hugged me I was burried in her bossom.
"Ah… okay?"
"Oh, why must you do this?" The other one decided to join in and form a group hug.
"Wait, wait! I was only cutting my hair! I'm not planning to kill myself!" And yet my words were muffled by them. "Help! Air! I need air!"
"What is happening here?!"
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Glorfindel
The fast has been broken and Glorfindel was eagerly finishing his own cup of tea. The lord of the manor regularly dines with him, seeing as he viewed the balrog slayer as a distinguished guest in his house but this time they were accompanied by Galdor and Feredir as they have an agenda after. As per the plan made the past night, they will visit the young woman in her temporary chamber at the Halls of Healing to see if they can gather informations about her and what has happened to her.
Lady Heledh, Galdor's wife, came into the lord's personal dining hall to give tidings. "Greetings, my lords." Galdor stood up to offer his seat to his wife. "The young Erika is awake and well. I think it would be fine to visit her now."
"Did she eat already?" Glorfindel cannot helped bit to ask.
Heledh smiled kindly before replying. "Ná, hîr nin. The young one actually had a good appetite. And may I add that I actually found her standing up already and testing herself. I say her spirit is as wild as the ocean."
Lord Círdan smiled widely and touched his silver beared. "Well then we must meet this young spirit." The Teler stood up from his chair.
Lady Heledh followed his suit and walk with her husband."I believe my friend Sivrethil and your Lord Feredir's daughters have already arrived there to give the young woman her needs. There would be no problem on seeing her now." She said while walking on their way to the healing halls with Glorfindel and Feredir just behind.
The five of them are talking jovially when they reach the entrance of the Halls of Healing and standing there was Nestaron who politely greet them. It was that time when they hear horrified cries that's coming from inside. Feredir who might have recognized the voices hurried past them to go inside the halls with Glorfindel who is just a heartbeat away behind him. They arrived in front of a familiar room just in time to hear an elleth lightly scolding someone.
"-Find it within your heart the courage to fight the shadows."
"Oh, why must you do this?" Another speak in an anguished voice followed by a muffled sound.
"What is happening here?!" Feredir blurted out beating Glorfindel from asking the same thing. The general's wife, Sivrethil stood in the middle of the room with Erika wrapped in her embrace while his daughter, Faewen was on the side and cage both females in her arms. The other daughter Luinil was kneeling on the floor with an alarming amount of black hair in her hands.
The latter turned her head on their way and was relieved to see her father standing in the doorway as if his mere pressence would make everything hale. "Oh, Ada! You have to help us! The poor young edain was so filled with grief and pain that she was shearing off her own hair!" Luinil stood up and walked to her father, showing to him the evidence of the young woman's act.
Glorfindel gasp sharply and eyed the strands of the beautiful black hair with sadness. And here he thought everything was well with her. And though his mind is starting to make a lot of negative thoughts, it was cut off by the sound of her Erika's voice.
"I can't breathe! I can't breathe! Santa maria!" The young woman's word was muffled but it was Heledh that moved to help the girl out of her misery.
"Sivrethil, dear friend, please ease your hands or you will kill the poor maiden before we even have her explanations." Heledh kindly said.
The wife of Feredir was so full of worry that she is nearly in tears. "But what if she hurt herself again? Oh, Heledh she is too young!"
"Dio, señiora I was merely cutting my hair because it was too long. I'm not ready yet to kick the bucket!"
Everybody stopped moving for a while as if time has paused itself, until Sivrethil and Faewen losen their arms around her. The young woman's hair was dishevelled as if a storm passed by her head. She was breathless but no harm was done.
"But why are you cutting it so short?" Faewen asked in confusion.
"Uh… for a change?" Erika shrugged and her face was full of confusion. "Was that a bad thing?"
Glorfindel chuckled lightly after releasing his held breath. He took the blanket that was on the bed and wrapped it around the young woman. His eyes met hers again as she was looking straightly at him. Her eyes are clear, honest and bright. "I will take you back to your bed."
He leaned down to lift her up but she shook her head and gave him a warm smile. "Thank you but it's okay. I can manage to walk, it's not that painful anymore."
"Then allow me." He offered his hand to help her at least make her way to the bed. He was glad to see her take it without hesitation. He placed the other one on her back and guided her small steps back to her mattress. She muttered her thanks before letting go of his hand. "Your hair was as beautiful as the dark starless sky. Why would you wish to cut it?"
"I uh… I just thought they were too long and a little bit bothersome specially now in my situation. I'm sorry if I offended anyone." Her eyes wandered away from him and looked at the people behind him.
Círdan who was already standing at the end of the bed spoke in an obvious fatherly way. "Ease your heart, penneth. You did not do anything bad. Sivrethil might have felt alarmed for the quendi valued our hair and deem it as a sign of beauty. Cutting it short like how you were trying to do it would certainly give any eldar a scare."
"Sorry…"
The wife of Feredir sat beside her and took her hand. "May you forgive me and my daughters, child. We were reckless."
"Oh, no no. It's cool, don't worry about me. It was just a whim, if it is a sign of importance to you people, I'm not gonna cut it. I respect."
"Well you did quite an uneven cut, dear Erika. Perharps you can allow us to mend it for you later." Heledh said in amusement.
The blush on her face was so visible that Glorfindel cannot help but to smile. "Sorry. Please." She said looking down while scratching the back of her head in childlike manner.
Sivrethil gasp delicately. "Elbereth, you had audience while in your inner garments! Do forgive us, my lords, please give us a little time to dress her."
Feredir gave his wife a wry smile. "We assumed that she was ready that is why we came here."
"Apologies, Ada, it was my fault." Luinil said. "We were trying to find a clothes of her size but unfortunately there was none that could fit her stature, she was way too tiny for the dress the seamstresses had made so I decided to ask Anauriel to cut some lenght and alter it to Erika's size."
Círdan made a throaty laugh. "No matter, young ones. We will wait outside until she is ready." the bearded ellon gave Erika a single bow before exiting the chamber with the silent Nestaron. Feredir touched his wife's chin before he followed the shipwright. Heledh and Galdor walk out hand in hand saying the healer is not needed for now.
Glorfindel look at Erika once again and he was surprised to find her staring back at him. While other ladies in either race of men or eldar would look away in shyness once they met his gaze, this young woman met him straight. There might be slight hesitation but she chose to defy it. And when he smiled at her, she smiled back. No words were needed. He nodded to the ladies before exiting out of the room to give them the time that they need.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
"Wait, how did you guys know what my size is?" I asked out with full curiosity. I have never met these ladies before but the revelation of them knowing what my size is is just really intriguing.
"We visited you when you were asleep, dear one. My husband was the captain of the scouts who found you in the forest. He was really worried for you and asked us to visit you in his stead for he was still fulfilling his duties at that time. My name is Sivrethil, daughter of Galwechil, and these two are my daughters, Luinil and Faewen. Êl síla erin lû e govaned vîn." Are you freaking serious? This woman looks too beautiful and too young to be a mother of two equally grown girl. Dude, I need what she's drinking.
"Oh… ah, yeah nice to meet you three as well." I greeted back, assuming that I get what she means. I was thinking also of using my own language but my southeast asian broken Spanish would sound weird on their ears so I decided not to. And though, yes I don't understand any of their local dialects, it does sound really smooth to the ears. I remember that guy with golden hair, he also used the same words when he found me outside. God why are his eyes so beautiful?
The two sisters brought a dress like the ones they are wearing in front of me. This also looks like Ms. Heledh's. Long and too feminine! The over all color was light ocean blue with a silver and white sash in the waist. The arms sleeves was slit open while the wide forearm sleeves was embroidered with silver treads. The skirt part was parted in two and the same fabric of the sash was underneath, it was long and it would drag in the floor for sure. Am I going to a Flores de Mayo parade?
"This is what we have for now, later my dear friend Anauriel will finish altering the other ones, so rest assured you won't have a dress shortage. I also have a boots for you." Says Faewen with a bright smile as if she wasn't bawling her eyes out ten minutes ago, mourning the loss of my hair that's still on the floor.
"Uh… how about some pants and shirt?" I asked trying hard not to wince.
"Is this too simple for your liking?" Faewen asked with a sad face that actually made me feel so bad.
"No, it's not like that. I honestly thought it's too beautiful for me. I'm afraid I will only damage it."
Luinil smiled proudly. "Rest assured, young one. This dress is made from the spider silk we harvested last winter. This is very durable and most of the warrior prefer it than the regular silk thread."
Of what?
"S-spider silk?" Warriors?
"I do think it would look great on you even if it is just a simple one." Sivethril said with a happy smile. "But if you prefer some trousers and tunic, I will have one fashioned for you. For now, let us put this on you first."
"Thank you, I hope I'm not sounding very rude to you. And please, I have pearls with me. I could use it as an exchange for the clothes."
"Silly child, do not worry so much. Take all of it as my gift to you. Do not be afraid of asking me about your needs, our family would provide it for you." Sivrethil raised her hand to cup my cheek in a very gentle way, the same as how Heledh would pat the top of my head. Why are these people so good to me? I'm nobody and they didn't know who I am. What if I'm a serial killer on the lose? Or a mugger?
As for me, I should be a more wary of them. Like I said earlier, we are strangers to each other and I have to be more cautious, and let me tell you, I've seen a lot of movies like this. Like one is stuck on one place and the people she will find will act kindly to her but then one crazy plot twist happens and turns out those people actually wants to harm her and fool her before striking without her knowing it!
Yet there was something that tells me they are good. Intuition, as I said before.
"Why do you look like you are about to cry?!" Faewen freaked out. I can already feel that she is the kind of person who exagerates a lot even with just small things. But what she said is true, my face for sure looks so disturbing as I try hard not to bawl out in front of them.
"I'm trying not to. You guys are so kind."
Luinil and Sivethril laughed at my reaction. "Oh, penneth, do not be like that. We wanted to see you well and happy." The later said. "Now we should hurry and not let the lords wait for a long time."
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
When Luinil announced they are done, Glorfindel and the others entered the room where they found the young woman sitting in a soft couch sipping a cup of medicinal tea. Glorfindel silently noticed her lovely appearance with her blue dress contrasting her waist lenght black her that was left hanging down. The strange cutting she did earlier surprisingly looked good, only it was smoother and even without nipping away more of its lenght and thickness.
The ellyths left the room before they started to introduced themselves to her. The oldest of the elves sat at the chair near the vanity while Galdor stood next to him. Nestaron sat at the bed and Feredir stood near the entrance door. Glorfindel decided to stand up next to the window which is just in front of her.
"A good morning to you, young lady. I believe, your name is Erika." The shipwright started.
"Yes, sir." Her eyes gave away the nerves she was trying to hide.
Círdan didn't fail to notice it. "I am called Círdan, Master of the Gray Havens. Lord of the Teleri in the lands of Arda. It is my honor to meet you, Lady Erika." The bearded ellon gave her a bow which she tried to return clumsily, to everyone's amusement. "Let me introduce you my companions. Here is Lord Galdor, my second-in-command."
"Well met, Milady." A gracious bow followed.
"I believe you are familiar with the young Lord Nestaron, one of the best healers of Imladris." Círdan continued.
Recognition lit her dark brown eyes as Nestaron placed his right hand on his heart. "Oh, nice to see you again, sir."
"A pleasure, penneth." Nestaron gave her a gentle smile.
"This one here is Lord Feredir, general of the Gray Haven's forces. His scouts expedition found you in the south-western forest of Harlond."
"Oh, you sir must be the spouse of Ms. Sivrethil."
Feredir gave her a short laugh. "It is I, young one. My apologies for what happened earlier. They have a tendency to exagerate a lot."
The old shipwright shook his head in amusement but continued his introduction. "And finally, of course this is Lord Glorfindel of the house of the Golden Flower. General of Imladris' army, one of the mighty firstborns."
While Glorfindel was greatful to the honorable introduction, he wished Círdan just kept it simple as confusion stained Erika's visage. She might be wondering what all those titles mean but decided not to ask.
He gave her a smile before giving his own bow. "A delight to see you once again, milady. I am glad to see you well." His eyes capturing her brown ones again.
"Oh… uh, thank you. You helped me a lot yesterday." She stamered along the way and fidgeted her fingers with the fabrics if her dreas. "Uh... I'm greatful, honestly for everyone's help. I apologise for sneaking away last time, I just freaked out. It was stupid of me"
"An understandable thing, give it no mind." Círdan said. "Which leads us to our purpose here young one. What has happened to you to be found in the state you were in? Were you abducted or attacked? If you are lost, we can help you find a way back home." The ellon asked in a sympathetic voice.
The questions made her frown as if she is considerring if she will answer it or not. As much as her face was like an open book of expressions, Glorfindel cannot guess what she is thinking. Will she tell them the truth? Or is she weaving lies? Can she not remember what happened? Or she does not want to say any of it? Different emotions passed by her eyes.
It took her a while to answer the the old elf's queries. "To tell you honestly, I don't know." The young woman inhaled deeply and slowly breathed out before speaking again. "It's not that I don't remember what happened but, one time I was in the shores back at home, and then there was a big storm. I was swept away by it and the next thing I knew is waking up here. I… I was in an unfamiliar shore and got lost after trying to figure out what happened or if I can find somebody for help. I was lost in the forest when the wolves… aw shit that was stupid. Who fell down and got themselves hurt just because they tripped from a root?" She groaned.
There goes the sharp tongue Glorfindel was so familiar. Nestaron coughed in his hand to smother his laugh and Galdor's eye was as wide as a dinner plate. Trully, his wife wasn't jesting when she told him about their young patient's sharp edges.
Amusement was written on Círdan's face as he smoothened his beard. "Well, those were such an unfortunate instance. Lord Ulmo'sgrace might have saved you from Ossë's wrath and took you here in western lands where the elves reside. Rest assured, young one that you are welcomed here in my city for as long as you wanted or until we find a way to get you back home."
"Wait, how come I'm in the western lands?" Glorfindel clearly heard her mutter to herself. "There's now way, I mean the whole pacific was too wide."
"Where do hail from then?" Galdor asked.
"South-east Asia. Coming from there it is impossible to come here in the west without passing by the whole Pacific ocean and islands."
Galdor and Círdan looked at each other in slight confussion, being a mariner their whole life, the places she mentioned was unknown to them. Was the Arda so vast that they didn't know these places existed? Does Pacific means Belegaer, the Sundering Seas in her tongue? Or was it the inner sea of the east?
"Where in south-east?" Galdor once again asked.
"Philippines." When no recognition was given, her eyebrows burrowed in confusion. "The Pearl of the Orient Seas? La islas Filipinas? The Land of Ophir?" Now there is horror written on her face as no one seems to recognize what she said.
"Galdor, please, gather all the maps that you can have and bring it here, even the ones of the sunken Numenor." The old shipwright asked his second in command.
"Yes, milord." He said before going out of the room.
Glorfindel listens silently and watch all her reactions. Her eyes seems to be lost in thought. There was confussion and a little bit of fear, telling him the fact that she really does not know what happened to her. Galdor returned moments later with maps on his hand and layed everything down in the bed next to Nestaron. The young lady didn't wasted a second before trying to lift herself up from the couch. Glorfindel came to her aid and lifted her up, the two of them walked into the bed and gazed down at the maps.
"Some of these maps have ancient recordings of both Numenor and Elven mariners. Rangers of the North, the Dunèdain, detailed the maps of Arnor during the second age, the whole Eriador, Gondor and Rohan. These maps came from the wood elves detailing the lands of Southern Rovanion and North-western lands of Rhun. Are you familiar with Tengwar?"
She was about to reach one map before she was frozen in her place. "What?" Before Glorfindel could ask her what is the matter she look back to him. Studying all of him with a blank expression. And then her sight turned to Nestaron who is still sitting at the bed side, and then to the others.
"What is it, penneth?" Círdan asked as he also noticed her stiffness and the look of skepticism on her face.
"What do you mean by elves?" She asked back.
The oldest ellon must have realized that the young woman has never encountered an elf before, just like how some edain consider them as myths. "We young one, are elves or more known as the Firstborn of Illúvatar's children here in the land of Arda. You are now in the lands of the Teleri, the elves of sea."
Her jaw fell open, both skeptic and shock, she shook her head. Her expression tells them that she does not believe everything that they said. "No shit. There's no way elves exist."
But the old shipwright was patient and gave the young woman a kind smile. "Anytime soon, child, you will find out that we do exist and as real as the air we breathe."
"No… no way, there is no way!" She said as if saying to herself. Eyes and lips wide from the shock, she started to hyperventilate. 'This is impossible.' She muttered in what Glorfindel assumes to be her tongue. "No, no... elves are Santa's minions, and they're myth. 'They make toys in north pole with Rudolph the raindeer who looks like meth addict.' There's no way this is real. Like… like there's no way I'm a…" a mermaid. She gulped visibly.
"Erika, calm down." Glorfindel squeezed her arm gently but in his surprise she suddenly turn to him, her mysterious eyes locked on his and just stared deeply. Until she reached up her hand at him and remove the strands of golden hair that covers his pointed ears.
"Well, shit."
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Artanis - (Quenya) Birth name of Galadriel.
AN: while not out in public, I decided to make them use their birthnames, for me it gives more the sense of familiarity.
Gi suilon, penneth - (Sindarin translation) greetings, young one
Quendi - (Quenya) Elves
Êl síla erin lû e govaned vîn - (Sindarin) stars shine upon the hour of our meeting.