AN: Bad poetry, a fun prank involving an apple, and a cute nickname? This chapter has got it all ;) (oh, and some angst. Actually, some really bad news. Poor Alysae)
Also, do you guys receive my replies to your reviews? With the whole problem with the notifications thing, it doesn't show up on email. Anyways.
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. . . Chapter 5 - A fair maiden . . .
.~.
"Of this fair world, and all its gentle livers;
Sprangler of clouds, halo of crystal rivers,
Mingler with leaves, and dew and tumbling streams,
Closer of lovely eyes to lovely dreams,
Lover of loneliness, and wandering,
Of upcats eye, and tender pondering!"
John Keats, 'I stoop tiptoe upon a little hill'
.~.
"It hasn't changed one bit," sighed Alysae from her mount. The warm sunlight poured down through the trees, highlighting the flutter of leaves and the straight lines of the trunks. A bird chirped merrily overhead as it soared in the clear blue sky.
"Indeed," said Legolas, his eyes reflecting the same joy. "Every time I come here, it gladdens my heart to see it unchanged."
"It has been growing dark as of late," said Elrohir from his own chestnut mount, his tone more serious.
"Patrols are becoming more and more frequent," added Elladan, his expression grave.
"At least you don't have giant spiders everywhere," muttered Alysae.
"Indeed," replied Elladan with a wry smile, though his eyes betrayed a hint of sadness.
The four of them rode through the lush forest, where towering trees with interwoven branches created a canopy above. The forest was alive with sounds: birds whistling, butterflies flitting among the flowers, and squirrels darting along the branches.
They had planned a ride to the waterfalls and a lunch there. After an hour and a half, the sun burned bright in the sky as they reached the majestic wall of water. The roar of the falls was deafening, and droplets of water softly misted them as they approached.
Each dismounted their horses, with Legolas assisting Alysae down. She gently nuzzled Celeg's soft snout before letting him graze with the other horses. The group then walked over to where the dark-haired twins were setting up the picnic basket.
"You truly have been growing fairer and fairer each time we see you," said Elladan with a playful glint in his eye.
"Nonsense," replied Alysae with a roll of her eyes as she flopped down on the grass.
"I am sure my brother would love to compose an ode in your honor," said Elladan mischievously. "No?"
Alysae turned to Elrohir with raised eyebrows. "You would?"
"Well—" he began hesitantly.
She cut him off with a decisive nod. "No one has ever written anything about me."
Elrohir glanced nervously at his twin. "I am not sure—"
"Oh yes, please do!" she exclaimed, clasping her hands together.
Legolas gently squeezed his friend's shoulder. "Once she has something in mind, it is wise to know that nothing will ever stop her."
"Thank you, gwador," Alysae said, pleased, and Legolas winked at her.
Elrohir sighed. "I truly have no choice, do I?"
Her gray-blue eyes twinkled merrily. "No, you don't." Elladan leaned against the rough bark of a tree, beaming at the glare his twin sent his way.
Elrohir cleared his throat, closed his eyes, and began,
"A fair maiden
With hair of sprung gold
Shone bright and bold
And my heart shall ever gladden
At the wondrous sight
Of this fair maiden
In the golden daylight."
Alysae's eyes widened. "Did you write that just now?"
"Aye," replied Elrohir, uneasy. She remained silent for a moment, her lips parted as she studied him.
"That is incredible!" she finally exclaimed. Sunlight caught in her golden curls and kissed the pale skin of her arms.
"You truly think so?" he asked, rubbing the back of his neck. She stepped forward until they were mere inches apart.
"It was beautiful." She stood on her tiptoes and pressed her soft lips against his smooth cheek. His eyes widened, and a flush tinged his pointed ears. Then, as easily as she had come, she stepped back to stand next to her brother.
"And if I may add," said Legolas nonchalantly, "I shall recite my poem as well." Alysae narrowed her eyes at him in suspicion, but he continued:
"Her hair shone bright and fair
And till the end of night
I shall have cruelly to bear
Her horrid blight!"
He gave a wide, victorious smile as he opened his arms and bowed low, his long hair brushing the grass.
"Hey!" Alysae punched her brother in the arm.
"Ow!" he complained, rubbing his arm exaggeratedly as he straightened up, though his smirk remained. "I wasn't sure whether to change the last line to 'such a sore sight,' but—" He received another smack, this time on the shoulder.
"You are horrible," she scolded. He lightly ruffled her hair, smoothly avoiding her attempt to push him away. "But you love me all the same," he said.
She scowled. "I wonder why."
Legolas placed a fist over his heart in mock hurt. "You wound me, sister." She rolled her eyes and stepped away, spreading her cloak on the wet grass before sitting down again. The bottom of her dress was already wet, but she didn't mind; it was only her brother and the twins, after all.
Legolas flopped down next to her, most inelegantly, and draped an arm across her shoulders. "Ah, dear sister, would you not care for a swim?" He gestured innocently to the swirling pool of water. She narrowed her eyes at him. "No, thank you." She pulled away from him. "But if you fancy a dunk, you only need to ask."
Legolas laughed. "I'm quite all right."
Rummaging through the picnic basket, Elladan retrieved four apples along with some cheese. "Care for some food?" he asked Alysae as Elrohir sat down as well.
She shook her head. "I'm not hungry."
"Alysae," said Legolas with concern, "you've barely eaten anything this morning." His blue eyes were filled with worry, and she squirmed under his gaze.
"I truly am not that hungry. I ate before we left," she lied. Legolas narrowed his eyes, and she swallowed, hoping he wouldn't see through her as he often did.
"At least have an apple," he said firmly, reaching for one and offering it to her.
"Fine," she muttered and bit into the apple. Sweet juice filled her mouth as she chewed the fruit. "Happy?" She glanced at her brother, who only gave a small smile before biting into his own apple.
The apple was good, but Alysae truly wasn't hungry. Her stomach had seemed to shrink in recent days, and her appetite had vanished. What is wrong with me? she thought.
She managed only a few more bites before she felt she could eat no more. Noticing that the twins were heading for the waterfalls, leaving them behind (how dare they!), she saw their backs were turned. Ha! she thought.
Quickly, she grabbed Legolas' apple just as he was about to take another bite. Aiming carefully, she threw her half-eaten apple, watching as it smacked into Elladan's back, leaving a wet print on his tunic. His black hair, now dotted with bits of apple, flew around as he whipped toward them, his eyes blazing.
"Who was that?" he growled.
Alysae put on her best innocent face and pointed at her brother. "Legolas, that was not very nice," she scolded.
"What?" he exclaimed incredulously.
"Legolas, you wasted a perfectly good apple." She took a bite of his apple innocently.
Elladan marched toward them, his gaze fixed on Legolas, who was now apple-less. Alysae fought to keep the smile off her face as she watched her brother get thrown into the swirling water.
She giggled as he emerged from the water, sputtering, his blonde hair soaked and his clothes dripping. "Oh, just you wait and see," he threatened, his blue eyes blazing with cold fury. Uh-oh, she thought. Time to go! She scrambled to her feet, abandoning his apple and her cloak, and ran to hide behind Elrohir.
"Save me!" she squealed. Elrohir's face was one of horror as Legolas marched toward them, dripping all over the grass. His boots made a squishing sound that had Alysae giggling despite her best efforts.
"Elrohir," said Legolas coldly. "Let me get to my sister."
Alysae clutched the back of Elrohir's tunic, pulling him in front of her as a shield. Whenever Legolas stepped to the side, she would drag Elrohir along, who was desperately trying to find a way out of the sibling conflict.
"Eru help me," he whispered.
"Alysae," Legolas spat.
"Afraid your hair will dry in curls?" Alysae taunted. She knew she shouldn't have said it, but it was too funny.
Legolas growled and lunged at her, but she dodged smoothly, and he ended up crashing into Elrohir. Elrohir pulled himself up, his tunic now wet.
Alysae looked up to see her brother seething, Elrohir looking annoyed, and Elladan approaching with a smirk.
"So it seems you have tricked us all, penneth," said Elladan as he came closer. "Get her!" he suddenly shouted. He jumped on her, pinning her wrists, while Legolas swung her over his shoulder.
"Let me go!" she shouted, pounding on her brother's back. They were dangerously close to the water now. Then, she felt herself being flung into the air, and cool water swallowed her whole in a splash. She sank for a moment, unable to discern up from down.
Breaking the surface, she gasped for air. She shook her hair out of her eyes and swam to the edge of the waterfall. The others were standing at the edge of the water, laughing as they watched her.
Her heart was racing. Legolas and Elladan were in the water, too, still laughing as they splashed water on each other. Elrohir had removed his tunic and was hanging it to dry, watching with amusement. His pale skin glistened in the sun and Alysae averted her eyes.
Alysae climbed out of the water, dripping wet but smiling nonetheless. Her soaked dress clung to her figure, hiding little of her curves. Her blonde hair was splattered against her face and she pushed it away. Water pooled at her feet and unto the grass. She walked over to where she had left her cloak, her legs apart, in the manner of a duck, and grimaced at the squishy sounds her shoes made. Then, a warm, dry cloak was spread onto her shoulders.
She turned to see Elrohir. "I must admit," she said, laughing, "this was not how I expected the day to go."
"Couldn't let you catch your death," he said softly.
"Thank you, my lord." She curtsied gracefully, with a wide grin. He snorted.
She walked away and laid on the grass, her head pillowed on her cloak. Although it was autumn now, Imladris seemed hardly affected by the weather, and the Sun shone bright and true, and covered her with Her warm glow.* She would dry in no long.
Her arm itched a little, a sure sign that her cut was healing well and had scabbed over. She resisted the urge to scratch it, and instead, watched Legolas and the twins swim in the swirling waters.
-xxx-
Over the last few days, she had grown fond of the three Hobbits, enjoying their easy nature. They seemed to be in endless supply of fun tales and merry songs. And it gave her time to practise her use of the Common Tongue. Alysae was sitting in the garden with them, happily watching her new friends as they spoke of the Shire.
"It is true!" insisted Merry.
"Is not," replied Pippin, before sticking his tongue out to his cousin. "I clearly won the bet." He raised an eyebrow smugly at the flush of anger that was slowly spreading on the hobbit's face.
"Tell them, Sam!" Merry turned to Sam desperately. "Tell them the truth!"
Sam stammered and spluttered, not wanting to be drawn in a conflict between the two cousins. Especially over something that had happened many a year ago. Thankfully for him, someone interrupted them before he could speak.
"Princess Alysae?" said an amused voice. Immediately all hobbits gasped and gaped at the blonde girl. They barely took notice of the fair headed elf who was watching them all with a most bemused expression.
"You... you are a princess?" stammered Sam and he blushed, "Forgive me, my Lady."
Alysae groaned internally and glared at the tall elf. "Sam," she said in a firm voice, and smiled, "you know what I told you to call me. I am simply Alysae with you all for you are my friends. Titles do not matter and we are all equal. That is," she raised an eyebrow, "if you consider me a friend, the way I consider you."
"Of course you are our friend!" cried Pippin in earnest.
"I am glad," she smiled.
"Ahem."
They all turned to look at the elf, who had one fair eyebrow raised. Alysae saw recognition flicker on the three Hobbits' faces.
"Lord Glorfindel," mumbled Sam.
"Hello," said Merry.
Glorfindel turned to Alysae. "I'm afraid Lord Elrond would like a word with you in his study."
Immediately, she felt worried, and she swore she could have seen every bad thing she had done cross her mind. Had she done something wrong? No scaring the seamstresses with frogs. Check. No dying Lindir's hair with purple cloth dye. Double Check. She hadn't trashed the kitchens. Or maybe the twins had and they blamed it on her.
Instead of voicing her worries out loud, she flashed a smile. "Nice seeing you too, Glorfy," she said, using her nickname for him. When she had been younger, she had been unable to pronounce his name, and as a result would call him Glorfy. He never minded, although to say it in front of others, would surely annoy him.
"Glorfy?" Sam choked.
Glorfindel sighed. "Clearly you have not changed much, penneth." He gestured for her to come. "Now come."
"Oh well," said Alysae cheerfully as she rose, "it seems I am awaited." She turned to the Hobbits. "I shall see you later." With a smile, she joined the elf lord, and followed him out of the gardens, looping her arm through his.
As they walked, Alysae was reminded of the all times she had sat next to the Balrog slayer, and listened as he spoke of his old life, and told her entrancing tales. It had always fascinated her, how one so old and sad, could look so young and strong. Stories were something that she had always felt drawn to. Words that could pour out so much emotion and feelings, creating a picture in her mind. That is why she loved books. She could lose herself in them.
"I have not had the pleasure of seeing you yet," she said as they passed the entrance of the house.
"I was unfortunately rather occupied," he answered, steering her towards a corridor. "Saving hobbits, battling Nazguls, the usual."
Alysae's eyes widened in shock. "Nazgul?"
"It is impressive how much trouble Hobbits can get themselves into."
She could not help it, she burst out laughing, although the situation was serious. Nazguls were back, and here she was, laughing.
"How's Estor?" she asked. 'Estor', who was in fact Erestor, Advisor of Elrond, and librarian, was perfectly fine, as Glrofindel assured her.
"Although," he added, "he says he misses having someone who actually enjoy reading books in his library. Even Lord Elrond is not as enthustastic as you at the prospect of sitting still for hours with old, dusty rolls of parchments!"
"Hum, you are old and dusty," she replied with a smile.
He pretended to be shocked. "Me? Old and dusty? How gravely you wound me!" He pressed a hand against his chest. "And surely you would not speak to your elders in such a way? Where do your manners lie, princess?"
"I was never one for decorum, you know that."
"I agree," the Balrog slayer admitted. "Although I expected Thranduil to be most foremost with your education."
"I have had the finest tutors since I was brought into my father's care," she said thoughtfully, before she continued with a smile, "But I am not past my majority yet, and I intend to use that to my advantage!"
The blond elf shook his head and laughed.
Since elves reached their majority at a hundred years old, she was still a child in their eye. But because she was human, Thranduil had relented that her majority would be when she reached twenty-two. Alysae knew that humans considered a sixteen years old boy to be a man, and that by twenty they could wed and start a family. She suspected that Thranduil had deliberately extended the age limit, so that she would stay longer with him and Legolas. Not that she minded. It wasn't like a human Lord would suddenly come, and sweep her off her feet, and intend to marry her, or anything. Besides, she liked causing mischief, and blame it all on the older elves.
Still, a little voice at the back of her head whispered and taunted her, telling her that she was old enough. She didn't have to be sheltered anymore. She could prove herself. She shook her head.
They stopped, for they had reached Lord Elrond's study.
-xxx-
"Alysae," said Elrond, rising from his seat, "I have need to speak to you."
"My Lord," she bowed her head and curtsied lightly.
"Alysae," he said sternly, "you know very well that you do not have to curtsy to me."
She smiled. "Thank goodness," she said. "I hate all that fancy stuff anyways."
The elf chuckled lightly, before offering her a seat, which she gladly took.
When he spoke, his voice had returned to its serious tone. "When the council shall occur," he said, "I wish for you not to come. I would order you not to," Alysae swallowed, feeling hurt, "however I know that would not be sufficient to stop you." He cast a stern eye in her direction before smiling. "It would be better for you to attend on a proper seat, rather than hide in a prickly bush."
Alysae smiled. "You are a very wise elf, my Lord. Thank you," she added.
"But that is not all," his expression darkened, "I believe we have much more important matters to discuss."
Immediately, she sobered up. Lord Elrond would not have called upon her unless it truly was of the most important. She wondered what it was.
"Alysae," he begun, before he stopped. "I was wondering why," he continued, "you hadn't come to see me yet."
Alysae furrowed her brow. "Whatever for?"
Lord Elrond cast a stern eye in her direction. "I have noticed that you had not been feeling well on the day that followed your arrival, at breakfast."
"Oh," was all she said. Of course that is what he wanted to speak to her about. He was a healer, he noticed everything. Then, she winced. It was the very thing she had hoped to avoid for all those years!
"Tell me," he continued. "Does it pain you often?"
She shook her head. "It usually passes fairly quickly, and I hadn't gotten one in months, until... until a few weeks ago."
Lord Elrond furrowed his brow. "How long has this been going on?"
Alysae avoided his eyes and squirmed uncomfortably in her seat. She flushed in embarassement. "Years," she mumbled under her breath, hoping (against all hopes) that he could not, or would not hear her. Alas, her hopes were futile, for he was an elf, and blessed with good hearing, and he heard her perfectly.
"Years?" he lifted both eyebrows, and his mouth set in a displeased line. She ducked her head and nodded.
"Why on earth was I not made aware of this?" He took a breath. "Does anyone else knows?"
She bit her lip. "Legolas. And a healer- sworn to secrecy."
"So your father does not know." It was a statement that brought shame to her.
Once again, she nodded.
Elrond closed his eyes, before snapping them open and standing up. "The symptoms?" He moved to where she was sitting, his hands brushing against her wrist, to feel her pulse.
"Headaches," she answered, "a.. a pain in my chest, my vision swims in and out of focus, I sometimes have trouble breathing, my legs shake..."
"Anything else?"
"Sometimes I faint. And I've lost my appetite," she added after a second.
"Your pulse is slow," the elf muttered under his breath. "Your hands are cold, and yet the fire is blazing, and the room warm." Indeed, in the fireplace a bright orange fire burned, and yet, she felt cold.
Lord Elrond furrowed his brow, and stared at her for a long moment. Then, he placed his palm against her forehead and closed his eyes. For several moments, he stood like that, his mouth sometimes twitching. He suddenly pulled his hand away and swiftly rose.
Alysae awaited in silence. Why wasn't he saying anything? Her fingers clutched at the fabric of her gown.
Finally, he realised a long breath and turned around.
"You are fading," he said quietly. She stayed unmoving. Surely she had misheard him. Or perhaps he was jesting? But no, his face was far too somber for that.
"But how?" she cried. "I am no elf! How could I be- how could I be fading?!" Alysae's heart pounded in her chest as Elrond's words sank in. The room seemed to close in around her, and she struggled to focus on the elf lord's face, which was etched with concern. Her mind raced, trying to grasp the gravity of what he had just said.
He sighed, and his eyes were filled with deep sadness. "I know naught, penneth. But I assure you, you present all the symptoms one would have if they were fading. And," he hesitated. Alysae strained forward, white-lipped and fingers clutching her dress.
"When I felt for your spirit," he said somberly, "I could feel it slipping away."
-xxx-
* The Sun is considered to be female in Tolkien's work. And the Moon is male. Just to clear some things up.
penneth- little one/ young one.
gwador- brother
Please review and tell me what you think!
Edited as of 08/2024