AN: Hey guys! Thank you all for showing the love! I probably wont be able to update in schedule in the following weeks as my family is getting a puppy! And I am going to be extremely buzy training him. I am soooo excited! ;)))))
anyways.
cardcaptor-kanna: Oh wow what a long review! Thank you for taking the time to write it! its fine, dw no offence taken, everyone has their preferences ;) Faramir? Eomer? Hmm... i wasnt really thinking abt them. interesting... (sorry, i am trying and failing to seem mysterious). Altho, she is going to end up going to Lothlorien. Ooooh I am so happy to hear that you are loving my story! Oh please tell me your theories, id love to hear them. Anything you'll say wont change the ending, bc i already know almost everything that is going to happen.
PS: Me too! and thats why I had to write it. Poor thranduil, accused of being a violent and horrible father, honestly he really is a softie deep inside. Chapter two? i think it might also be my favourite ;) i was thinking about adding a bonus chapter where we see Thranduil slowly growing to love Alysae as a daughter, but im not sure if i should... anyways, im ranting, but hey! long reviews deserve long answers.
Annabel Jones: I agree. They can be so annoying sometimes. Also, I probably would have cried too. Im glad you liked the aragorn scene, yep Alysae was... um a very curious child ;) Oooh yess Im so happy you think so! i was definitely going for that so thats great :) Daft? Legolas? Glorfindel? Carrot cakes? thats... interesting (lol!)
EmmaCBlackstairs: I must admit, i burst out laughing. i could almost imagine you rolling your eyes as you typed it. ;)
the8horcrux: Yess small things can have a GREAT impact on others. I'm glad you're not mean. or else i would have to take drastic measures. ;) Of course not! its not going to be Legolas! ewwwww. he is her brother in every way that matters and Alysae would probably slam you over the head with a book if you ever said that in front of her. But following ur train of thoughts, i agree totally. There are BILLIONS of these stories. sorry im ranting a little. :)
PrettyRecklessLaura: Im glad you do! Thank you for reviewing and hope you enjoy :)
. . . Chapter 8- A very syrupy elf . . .
.~.
"She loves the poetry she cannot write."
Oscar Wilde
.~.
The days passed quickly, and a sense of peacefulness descended upon Rivendell, although all knew it would not last. Alysae occupied herself by watching the Hobbits train with Boromir, Legolas and sometimes Aragorn, the latter busy with scouting for traces of the Ringwraiths with the twins. Sometimes she would take a walk with Arwen in the garden, and read with her. Yesterday, they had made packs of clothes and other ustensiles, in preparation for the departure of the Fellowship.
Having grown up with no mother figure, other than Calarel (but that, Alysae knew, was only because it was the elleth's job) Alysae had always looked up to Arwen, and saw her a sort of older sister. She had been the one to tell her what to do when her first woman cycle had come in. How embarrassing it had been for Alysae: she had called for her brother, thinking herself to be dying. Thankfully, Arwen had intervened. Ellyth did not have them as often as mortal women did, but they did have them.
Some afternoons she spent with Erestor and helped him clean the library and take care of the books, or just read in the comfortable chair by the window.
But most of the time Alysae stayed with the Fellowship. Or more precisely the Hobbits. Truly she had grown fond of them, especially Merry and Pippin. They were always ready to play mischief with her.
"Quickly!" she said now. Pippin stuck out his tongue in concentration as he adjusted the knot.
"There!" the hobbit said and admired his handiwork. A large metal bucket was tied to a branch, only secured by a rope of elven made. Alysae glanced up from the ground to Pippin and smiled. He eased his weight of the branch and slowly slid down, jumping into Alysae's awaiting arms.
"He's coming!" Merry hissed as he ran towards them. Alysae attached the last of the string by the ground, from a tree trunk to another. Then, the three of them took off running as if a very Balrog from Morgoth was upon them. She had not gotten back at the twins yet for their latest prank, and had decided that now was the best time for vengeance.
The distant clash of swords against swords, of sharp steel biting against metal, rung and grew louder and louder as they drew nearer to the training ground. There, stood Boromir, Legolas, Aragorn, Sam, Gimli and Frodo engaged in a sword fighting lesson.
"Hold your ground," Aragorn was saying to Frodo. "Keep your grip on the sword, tightly but allow for some movements as well."
He stepped forward once, raising his sword, as Frodo shifted on his feet. He let out a breath and moved to parry when three running forms rushed towards them.
"If anyone asks," Alysae panted, collapsing, "we've been here with you all along."
"Learning swords," added Pippin.
"Swordsmanship," corrected Merry.
Aragorn shook his head. "I do not even want to know what you three have been up to."
Legolas glanced at his sister amusedly. "Well, I certainly want to know. What did you do this time?"
"Nothing!" Alysae exlaimed.
Legolas raised one eyebrow.
"That's right," said Pippin. "We haven't done anything."
"Yes," said Alysae. "Why must you always blame me for all? You have no solid evidence and yet you immediately assume that I have caused someone wrong." She widened her eyes in her best innocent expression.
Legolas only shook his head in disbelief. "So you mean to tell me, that you and these two Hobbits haven't done anything, and I say anything, that will result in you three getting in trouble?"
"Absolutely noth-" Alysae began with a sweet smile. And as if mocking her, an outrage-filled cry rang in the air, echoing miles around, speaking of bloody murder and vengeance.
"It worked!" Pippin loudly whispered.
Alysae groaned as her brother raised his eyebrows in an 'I told you so' expression. Merry just rolled his eyes and opened his mouth to speak when a shout interrupted him.
"WHO DID THIS?!"
Immediately all turned to where Alysae, Merry and Pippin had arrived from, taking in the sight of a positively seething Elladan. The reason for his ire was surely the thick, sticky, honey-coloured sauce that dripped down his long raven hair and unto his tunic. He looked as if a bucket of liquid caramel had been dumped over him.
"Oh my, Elladan!" Alysae exclaimed, a hand over her mouth. "You sure look a dreadful sight! What on earth happened?"
Pippin tried -and failed- to smother a giggle. Meanwhile, Elladan growled, his eyes narrowed so thin, his eyes had almost disappeared. "You!"
Alysae opened her eyes wide. "What, me?" She turned to the Fellowship. "I've been here with them all morning!"
"Yes," said Merry. "I assure you that Alysae has not left our sight to-day." Pippin nodded his head quickly.
"You see," she continued. "I do not see how I could have done something if I had not been there to do it. But," she turned to Legolas, "didn't we just see Elrohir come back from this way to head to the stables?"
The corner of her brother's mouth twitched upwards. "It rather seemed like it."
"I wonder why he was in such a hurry, though," she added pensively.
Elladan scowled and stomped away, leaving behind a small pool and a trail of syrup, in the likes of a snail or slug.
"By the way," Alysae shouted to his retreating figure, "is that syrup?!"
The half-elf did not reply, but a few moments later, all could hear him scream, "ELROHIR!"
Alysae erupted into giggles, the other two Hobbits rolling on the floor besides her. Finally, when her laughter subsided, she wiped the tears of mirth from her face and stood up, brushing at her dress, and readjusting her hair. "That was hilarious."
"I can't believe you kept your cool!" Pippin said exitedly. "Had I been in your place I would have stammered and blushed all over the place!"
Alysae winked at them. "I think it was rather fair, though. Have you seen what they did to my hair?" She held up a lock to prove her point. After many baths and painful scrubbings, the cloth dye had mostly washed away, at last, although leaving a faint purple taint behind, which Alysae thought was rather hideous.
"I do not see a difference," Legolas said, moving to stand behind her. She rolled her eyes.
Gimli dipped a finger in the sticky pool left behind by Elladan and put it in his mouth. "Bless my beard if that isn't syrup!" he exclaimed.
Aragorn cleared his throat. "We are here to teach the Hobbits duelling lessons," he said. Then he cast a stern eye in Merry and Pippin's direction, "And I do mean all the Hobbits." Pippin blushed and Merry suddenly seemed interested in the aspect of his feet.
Turning to Frodo, Aragorn began, "As I was saying, you must keep a flexible grip with-"
Just at that moment, Alysae yelped in fright and ducked behind her brother.
"What is it?" Aragorn asked, clearly worried, eyes scanning for any threats in the surrounding trees.
"There's a bee!" she squealed, hiding, "there's a nasty, horrible, bee-!" She ducked once more out of the way, just as the yellow and brown insect flew around her.
"You are afraid of... bees?" asked Gimli, clearly perplexed.
"I am not afraid!" she replied. Then yelped again, as the bee flew too close to her head.
"You look afraid to me," said Boromir.
"I simply do not wish to end up in the Healing room, that is all," she replied uneasily, her hands still painful tight on Legolas' shoulders.
"Healing room?" Merry echoed. "The most you'll get is a painful sting."
Alysae shook her head, her eyes not once leaving the bee. "A single sting could very well be the death of me."
"The death?" Pippin repeated, astonished. "But bees don't kill!"
"I am allergic to the venom they inject their victims," she replied. "I was stung once, and I do not wish to repeat the process, nor do I want to risk it."
"That is indeed strange," said Gimli.
"Oh!" cried Sam. He blushed when he realised that the attention was now on him. "It's just like Little Jim! Except it was a wasp. Stung him once and he was dead. His face got red and swollen, they said."
Aragorn shook his head as though he could not believe he was stuck with such trivial matters. "Alysae, you may get out of your hiding plave, the bee has left."
Alysae stuck her head out from behind her brother's shoulder. "Are you sure its really gone?"
The Ranger sighed. "Yes. Very sure."
"If you say so," she said, stepping up, and brushing her skirts for any traces of dust or dirt. She narrowed her eyes at Gimli who chuckled quietly in his ginger beard. Immediately, he sobered up and turned his attention to his axe.
Aragorn cleared his throat, gaining the attention of all. "May we resume now?"
"You may," Alysae replied imperiously. Pippin giggled and Aragorn rolled his eyes.
"Do you want to do the lesson in my stead?" he asked exasperately.
Alysae smiled brightly. "I technically could."
"You know how to use a sword?" asked Pippin in earnest. Merry eyed her up and down, as if he was trying to picture her, blade in hand. She had to admit that she didn't look that impressive, especially not when standing next to tall Legolas and Aragorn, stout Gimli or strong Boromir.
"I can defend myself," she said with a laugh. Both Hobbits' eyes shone with admiration. Just as Merry was about to speak, Boromir beat him to it.
"It is not proper," he said with a disapproving expression.
Alysae raised her eyebrows. "You wish for me to be defenceless?"
"A lady should not wield weapons," replied the son of the Steward of Gondor. "That is the task of men."
Alysae felt a flutter of anger rise in her chest. Not only was this man calling women weak, but he was also insulting all the ellyth fighting against the darkness in Greenwood.
"That is untrue! Women can fight as well as men. In -in Mirkwood-" she spoke the name with bitterness, "-the warriors are made of both Ellyn and ellyth –female and male elves!" she cried.
"Yet you are not an elf," he insisted. "You are of nobility and a mortal lady, you should not wield a blade."
"I assure you that should a foul Orc come running to me, I would much rather wield a blade than a sewing needle."
"You would not need it, for it is the task of men to protect the women."
"But what of when the men are all gone!" she cried in frustration. "What then? For you cannot believe that you all shall live forever."
Boromir tried a different approach. She was a human. And a lady at that. She could never hope to wield a blade in the likes of a man. "I much rather doubt your abilities with a sword, my Lady."
Alysae set her jaw and squared her shoulders. "I shall prove it to you, then." She went to pick a training sword from the ones left for all who wished to train, lightly testing one which appeared the right size for her.
"You need not," said Boromir with an exasperated sight.
He doubted her? She would prove him wrong. "You doubt my abilities, let me show you."
"It is improper!" The Man stared indignantly at the young lady in front of him.
"Come!" she taunted, drawing her blade. "Fight me! For what you have said has deeply insulted me! I shall not rest till you have been proven wrong."
Besides her, Legolas shared an amused smile with Aragorn, something that was not gone unnoticed by the Hobbits and the dwarf. Frodo frowned. Why would Legolas be amused that his sister would fight against the son of the Steward of Gondor? Little did he know, that Alysae had been trained by the best of elves.
"Very well, my Lady," Boromir sighed and drew out his own blade. "I shall go easy on you."
They circled each other, Alysae scanning the man of Gondor for any weaknesses or flaws. She noticed that he seemed to favour his right arm, and that he aways stepped forward with his left foot; information that she thought valuable, and stored them away for later.
Growing annoyed and bored of the mindless circling, she charged first and swung her blade to the left. It was quickly parried, although lightly. Her sword flashed, clanging against Bormir's. They traded a series of fast blows, hoping that the other would falter.
Boromir proved to be a mighty opponant, and yet, he was still holding back. Alysae knew that she had to use it to her advantage, for she was not as strong as he, and would grow tired soon. What did she have that he did not? she asked herself, as she blocked another of his move. Already he was throwing more strength to his attacks, testing her endurance and force.
She dodged a strike and whirled around. Speed. That was what she had for advantage. Not only was she smaller and lither than the man of Gobdor, but she could use speed as her advantage.
Time to end this, she thought, before I grow too tired and falter. Already she could feel sweat on her brow, and her arms seemed suddenly all the more heavy. Using a move that Elrohir and Elladan had tought her once, she striked at his head, his blade immediately coming to meet hers in an arch. Twisting her wrist, she slammed the side of her blade against his wrist, and watched as his sword clattered away. It was not an honorable move, but a rather effective one
"I hope to have proven you wrong, my Lord," she said, adjusting her grip on the handle, feeling her breaths coming in small pants.
"Forgive me, my Lady," the man replied, rubbing at his wrist. "I recognise my actions were unspoken for."
She went to retrieve his sword and offered it to him, hilt first. "Worry not, Lord Boromir. You may call me Alysae."
"Very well Alysae." He sheathed his sword. Besides him, the Hobbits stared at her with admiration, and Gimli seemed surprised. Just then, a wave of diziness washed over her and she swayed.
Boromir caught her before she fell. "Are you well?"
She stood to her feet. "I am fine." At his dubious look, she added, "Really, I am."
The man of Gondor could speak no more, for her brother had reached them and taken her by the shoulders. "Alysae! Has it begun again?" he searched her face.
"Well-" she was cut off with a glare.
"Answer me Alysae!" Under his scrutinising eyes, she felt compelled to tell the truth. She nodded and he sighed. "Why have you not told me?"
She swallowed. This was not how she had wanted to tell him. She'd wanted to be more prepared, written everything beforehand. But now was the time. It was now or never. The Fellowship were to depart in two days' time. She had to tell him, one way or another.
Quickly making up her mind, she said, "I have need to speak to you most urgently. In private," she added when he raised a pale eyebrow. Taking his hand, she led him just out of earshot, although Aragorn could probably hear them still. As such, she spoke in a language she knew he would not understand.
The rest of the Fellowship stared at the two siblings engaged in a rather serious-looking discussion. From there, they could see that Legolas' eyebrows were drawn in confusion, and Alysae's fingers clutched at the material of her skirt.
"What are they saying, Strider?" asked Sam curiously.
Aragorn stared pensively at the scene a few feet away from them. "I know naught."
Sam's eyebrows drew together in mild confusion. "But you do speak Elvish, don't you?"
"I speak Sindarin, master Sam. This," he gestured with his sword towards the two siblings, "is Silvan."
"Silvan?" To Sam, there was only Elvish. And now, there were more than one language the elves spoke?
"A language only spoken by the Silvan elves," answered Aragorn, "and they are few in number in Mirkwood."
Pippin tugged at his cousin's sleeve. "What do you reckon they're speaking of, Merry?"
"I don't have a clue but Alysae looks rather distressed."
"Indeed," said Boromir.
A stone's throw away, the elven archer blanched.
"And look! Master Legolas looks as if he were about to faint!" exclaimed Merry.
"I have never seen him appear so anguished," Aragorn muttered.
"And there! She has run," said Sam. Indeed, Alysae had turned around and fled, leaving a much distraught Legolas behind.
"I wonder what they were talking about," said Pippin worriedly.
"Nothing good it seems," replied Boromir as he fingered his sword at his hip.
"Bad news?"
"Who knows?" Gimli replied, scratching his beard. "I only know that we were all up and easy, then the young lass nearly faints on us, and next thing we know, the Elf looks as if he was to be sent to his death!"
"I will speak to him," said Aragorn as he made his way to the blond elf, sword lesson forgotten.
"Looks like it is only us then," grumbled the dwarf. "Grab your sword, master Baggins! For we have lessons to attend to." He chuckled and picked his axe up.
-xxx-
Aragorn walked to where his friend and brother of heart stood, arms hanging limp by his sides. He noticed that Legolas' eyes were two anguished pools of somber blue, staring far away into the distance.
"Mellon nin," the ranger murmured, stepping closer. "Tell me, what is wrong."
The archer made no move to say he had heard him. Aragorn did not let this affect him. He knew Legolas very well, knew that he would acknowledge him when he wanted, and would answer at his own time. Still, he was extremely curious and a little anxious as to the reason of his friend's distress.
"Does it relate in any way to your sister?"
At that, the elf let out a small sigh, that seemed as deafening as a cry of pain. His fingers clenched and unclenched at his sides. I was right, the ranger thought, but there was no feeling of triumph.
"What is it?" he whispered softly, laying a hand against Legolas' shoulder.
The elf seemed to shake himself from his stupor. "I cannot answer, for it tears at my heart," he said softly, before striding away.
Aragorn was left standing alone, greatly disturbed and deeply absorbed in his thoughts. Something was terribly wrong with Alysae and he intended to find out what.
-xxx-
so guys, according to Annabel Jones I should name my plot bunny Daft. (Or Legolas. or Glorfindel. or Carrot cake.) What do ya think?
Pls review and tell me what you think!
Edited as of 14/12/2020