I lay beside the fire, staring up at the stars, fingering the necklace I wore about my neck. I thought again about the sister I had never met. I wonder if she is alive, somewhere.
Sighing, I rolled over to go to sleep, when low voices cought my ear. It was Aldarion and Legolas. They were sitting on the other side of our campfire, and it seemed as if they were in the middle of a conversation. I must have been so wrapped in my thoughts that I did not hear them. Out of idelness, I listened.
"No", Aldarion laughed slightly. "I am not one to go around telling people I love them." He paused. "No, I have taken a vow, that I shall tell no maiden that I love her, unless I am ready to ask for her hand in marriage with my next breath."
"That is a good vow to take," Legolas replied thoughtfully. "But one that not many can keep."
"I have so far, and I intend to keep it."
There was silence for a good many minutes. I was about to fall alseep, when I cought my name.
"The Lady Rosriel, is you cousin, is she not, Legolas?"
"Yes, she is."
"Are you two particularily close?"
"Meaning do we confide in eachother?" Legolas asked. "Yes, we do frequently and we have since she was young." I had rolled over slightly and saw him glance at Aldarion. "Why do you ask?"
Aldarion's face was in the shadow, so I could not see his expression. "Do you know, I was just curious, prehaps wrongly so but, I was wondering..." he hesitated. "Does, is she - promised - to anyone?"
Legolas thought. "She has not plighted troth with any one." I could see him smile. "Nor had her heart been given to anyone when she left the Greenwood for Rivendell." He added casually, "Of course, that may have changed since she departed that fair place." He laughed. "Does that satisfy your questionings, Aldarion?"
Aldarion shifted almost uncomfortably. "Yes, thank you." He stood up, looking out at the dark landscape, then back at Legolas. I could see his face now, which was serious. "I did not want to make any mistakes."
Legolas stood up as well, and he said something that I could not hear.
"So I assume your heart is free as well?" He added louder.
"Why do you think I asked the questions I did?" returned Aldarion.
He walked away, and Legolas sat down near the fire. I turned on to my back. Why did I feel so breathless? Yes, I liked Aldarion, but I had never thought.... Why was I so completely elated? What was this feeling? I had never been in love before... was this it? I did not know.
Confused, I fell asleep.
~ Rosriel 52 miles
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Sunday, July 6, 2008
An Injury
Ever since I surprised the others (not to mention myself) by falling out of that tree, I've felt a dull pain coming from my right ankle, which is the ankle most of my weight fell on. Since I could still walk without limping, I decided to ignore it. Possibly that was not a good choice. This morning, as I was walking alongside Legolas and learning what all has happened in Mirkwood since last I visited, I felt a very sharp pain in my ankle and (rather ungracefully, I'm embarrassed to admit) I fell into Legolas' arms.
Out of the goodness of their hearts, the others have fashioned a chair for me. Legolas has taken it upon himself to push me around in it. I think he feels somewhat responsible for this, since it was, after all, his eyes that caused me to lose my balance. I of course would not mind this attention from my dear friend, if not for all the viscous looks I have been receiving from certain other young ladies on this journey.
Through my (unskilled, but satisfactory) evaluation of the ankle, I believe it is only sprained, and not broken. In only a few short weeks I should be walking again, which will be a great relief to me, and I have high hopes it will quell the anger of my fellow travelers.
(I thought I should give you all an explanation for why I will most likely be lagging behind you in the miles department in the coming weeks--for those who don't know, I actually did sprain my ankle this week)
Out of the goodness of their hearts, the others have fashioned a chair for me. Legolas has taken it upon himself to push me around in it. I think he feels somewhat responsible for this, since it was, after all, his eyes that caused me to lose my balance. I of course would not mind this attention from my dear friend, if not for all the viscous looks I have been receiving from certain other young ladies on this journey.
Through my (unskilled, but satisfactory) evaluation of the ankle, I believe it is only sprained, and not broken. In only a few short weeks I should be walking again, which will be a great relief to me, and I have high hopes it will quell the anger of my fellow travelers.
(I thought I should give you all an explanation for why I will most likely be lagging behind you in the miles department in the coming weeks--for those who don't know, I actually did sprain my ankle this week)
~Ella Ellessanderil, 60 miles
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Talk with Legolas
I sat alone, a little way from our camp, with a sad, pensive look on my face, though I was not feeling in the least sad or pensive. It was for Anarion’s benefit, I knew I looked very much like I wanted to be alone, and if Rosriel and Ella had any success with Legolas, I did not want him to find me with Anarion after promising to avoid him. I was feeling rather anxious, in reality; though both Ella and Rosriel had seemed confident in their ability to talk Legolas into believing me, I was not very much reassured. Legolas can be quite stubborn!
I was more impatient than anything else by the time Rosriel and Ella came.
“We’ve succeeded!” Rosriel exclaiming, smiling happily at me.
“Well, not quite, you still have to convince him of your honesty yourself, but he’s willing to listen!” Ella corrected.
I jumped up and flung my arms around both of them.
“Thank you so much! I will be indebted to you both for life!” I said, barely able to keep my voice down to a normal level.
“It was no trouble,” Ella assured me, and Rosriel added, “We would do the same for any friend.”
I smiled a little tearfully at them. “I’m so fortunate to have friends like you! I promise I’ll keep Vila from playing any pranks on you!”
“Er, thanks,” they said, looking a little amused.
Then Ella looked back towards the camp. “Legolas is looking for you so he can talk to you; we’d better go tell him where you are,” she said.
Rosriel nodded. “I wish you good luck with your talk,” she said.
“I won’t ruin your hard work,” I replied cheerfully, and they left to find Legolas.
I sat back down, feeling suddenly more than a little nervous. Now for the last test, and Anarion would be mine—well, if he wanted to be. But I would worry about that later.
Legolas came into sight, and sat down next to me. “Ella and Rosriel told me you were over here,” he began a little awkwardly. I decided not to make it too hard for him.
“They told me you wanted to talk to me?” I said, keeping my voice carefully subdued, though I felt like singing for joy.
He nodded. “They said that you were not behaving as irresponsibly towards that ranger as I had been afraid you had,” he began carefully, and I waited for him to go on.
He was watching me out of the corner or his eye. “Rosriel said that your behavior has been much more restrained than it has been in the past, and Ella told me you seemed to genuinely like talking with him, instead of merely flirting with him because you were bored, which I have frequently seen you do.”
He paused a moment, then said, “Lira, if you do actually like him instead of merely using him to alleviate your boredom, then I apologize for my words earlier. I did not mean to be harsh, but I must admit I was thinking of how you have acted in the past without allowing room for change. Tell me, Lira, how do you feel towards Anarion?”
I answered him, finally. “I like him,” I said slowly, looking at the ground. “He’s a good man, and he rescued me from that nasty dwarf, as I’m sure you heard.” Legolas’s lips twitched as he held back a smile. “Yes, I heard. You and Raewyn throwing a temper tantrum, and all.” I laughed, and he joined in. “Well, it did work,” I said, still laughing.
We talked a bit longer, with Legolas actually listening to what I said, and believing me, and then, finally, he told me, “I have no objection with your friendship with Anarion. Please make sure you do not lead him on, or give him false hopes. After all, you are an elf, and he is a man.”
“But he’s a ranger,” I protested.
“A ranger is still a man,” he said.
“Yes, I know that, but King Ellessar was a ranger, too, you remember.”
He raised an eyebrow at me. “Well, be careful, that was all I said.”
~Lirasvelindo
50 miles
I was more impatient than anything else by the time Rosriel and Ella came.
“We’ve succeeded!” Rosriel exclaiming, smiling happily at me.
“Well, not quite, you still have to convince him of your honesty yourself, but he’s willing to listen!” Ella corrected.
I jumped up and flung my arms around both of them.
“Thank you so much! I will be indebted to you both for life!” I said, barely able to keep my voice down to a normal level.
“It was no trouble,” Ella assured me, and Rosriel added, “We would do the same for any friend.”
I smiled a little tearfully at them. “I’m so fortunate to have friends like you! I promise I’ll keep Vila from playing any pranks on you!”
“Er, thanks,” they said, looking a little amused.
Then Ella looked back towards the camp. “Legolas is looking for you so he can talk to you; we’d better go tell him where you are,” she said.
Rosriel nodded. “I wish you good luck with your talk,” she said.
“I won’t ruin your hard work,” I replied cheerfully, and they left to find Legolas.
I sat back down, feeling suddenly more than a little nervous. Now for the last test, and Anarion would be mine—well, if he wanted to be. But I would worry about that later.
Legolas came into sight, and sat down next to me. “Ella and Rosriel told me you were over here,” he began a little awkwardly. I decided not to make it too hard for him.
“They told me you wanted to talk to me?” I said, keeping my voice carefully subdued, though I felt like singing for joy.
He nodded. “They said that you were not behaving as irresponsibly towards that ranger as I had been afraid you had,” he began carefully, and I waited for him to go on.
He was watching me out of the corner or his eye. “Rosriel said that your behavior has been much more restrained than it has been in the past, and Ella told me you seemed to genuinely like talking with him, instead of merely flirting with him because you were bored, which I have frequently seen you do.”
He paused a moment, then said, “Lira, if you do actually like him instead of merely using him to alleviate your boredom, then I apologize for my words earlier. I did not mean to be harsh, but I must admit I was thinking of how you have acted in the past without allowing room for change. Tell me, Lira, how do you feel towards Anarion?”
I answered him, finally. “I like him,” I said slowly, looking at the ground. “He’s a good man, and he rescued me from that nasty dwarf, as I’m sure you heard.” Legolas’s lips twitched as he held back a smile. “Yes, I heard. You and Raewyn throwing a temper tantrum, and all.” I laughed, and he joined in. “Well, it did work,” I said, still laughing.
We talked a bit longer, with Legolas actually listening to what I said, and believing me, and then, finally, he told me, “I have no objection with your friendship with Anarion. Please make sure you do not lead him on, or give him false hopes. After all, you are an elf, and he is a man.”
“But he’s a ranger,” I protested.
“A ranger is still a man,” he said.
“Yes, I know that, but King Ellessar was a ranger, too, you remember.”
He raised an eyebrow at me. “Well, be careful, that was all I said.”
~Lirasvelindo
50 miles
Thursday, June 26, 2008
In Defense of Lira
Legolas looked first at me, then back at Ella, and sat down with a sigh.
"Knowing the both of you as well as I do," he said wryly. "This will take a while, so excuse me if I sit down." He gestured. "Come, sit as well, then we can all talk comfortably."
Ella and I sat down in silence. We glanced at each other.
"Legolas," I started. "I talked to Lira, and she says that you have joined the Fellowship with the intention to watch her and keep her from flirting. Now wait!" I stopped Legolas from speaking, "I know Elena invited you, I heard her."
"But," Ella continued. "You did say that you intended to keep a watch and supervise her, as well as Vila, very closely."
"You cannot deny that they do not need it!" Legolas broke in. "Have you any idea how many hearts that girls has broken by her careless flirting?"
"Yes I do," I said. "In fact, I have watched her do it. And that is how I know, that this time it is different."
"Oh really?" Legolas raised an eyebrow.
"Yes really. You must account for the fact that women can see things in other women that men, no matter how observant, will never notice," Ella said seriously.
"How can you tell?"
"One way," I answered. "Is that her manner of flirting is more subdude. Yes she is still flirting, but not the way she used to. Lira is not nearly as outspoken, coy or careless as the other times."
"Also," Ella added. "She has talked to me several times about Anarion, before you joined us. She seemed to genuinly like him, as well as admire him. I have also seen her flirt once or twice before, and you could tell she did not care a bit for the poor mens hearts."
"I truely belive," I said, "that she is really serious this time."
Legolas was silent. He looked up, "Are you sure?"
"Look," Ella said. "Why don't you talk to Lira about it. As a friend. No protective fatherly type behavior. Realize that she has grown up."
He thought for a while. "I will do it," he sighed.
"Good." I smiled. "Ella, would you mind walking back to camp with me? We'll tell Lira that her dear friend Legolas wishes to have a heart to heart talk with her." She accepted, and we began walking, arm and arm towards the rest, talking about various things and getting to know eachother more.
I glanced at her. "Ella," I said, "I wish we had met sooner. I have missed out on a beautiful friend."
Lady Rosriel - 42.5 miles
"Knowing the both of you as well as I do," he said wryly. "This will take a while, so excuse me if I sit down." He gestured. "Come, sit as well, then we can all talk comfortably."
Ella and I sat down in silence. We glanced at each other.
"Legolas," I started. "I talked to Lira, and she says that you have joined the Fellowship with the intention to watch her and keep her from flirting. Now wait!" I stopped Legolas from speaking, "I know Elena invited you, I heard her."
"But," Ella continued. "You did say that you intended to keep a watch and supervise her, as well as Vila, very closely."
"You cannot deny that they do not need it!" Legolas broke in. "Have you any idea how many hearts that girls has broken by her careless flirting?"
"Yes I do," I said. "In fact, I have watched her do it. And that is how I know, that this time it is different."
"Oh really?" Legolas raised an eyebrow.
"Yes really. You must account for the fact that women can see things in other women that men, no matter how observant, will never notice," Ella said seriously.
"How can you tell?"
"One way," I answered. "Is that her manner of flirting is more subdude. Yes she is still flirting, but not the way she used to. Lira is not nearly as outspoken, coy or careless as the other times."
"Also," Ella added. "She has talked to me several times about Anarion, before you joined us. She seemed to genuinly like him, as well as admire him. I have also seen her flirt once or twice before, and you could tell she did not care a bit for the poor mens hearts."
"I truely belive," I said, "that she is really serious this time."
Legolas was silent. He looked up, "Are you sure?"
"Look," Ella said. "Why don't you talk to Lira about it. As a friend. No protective fatherly type behavior. Realize that she has grown up."
He thought for a while. "I will do it," he sighed.
"Good." I smiled. "Ella, would you mind walking back to camp with me? We'll tell Lira that her dear friend Legolas wishes to have a heart to heart talk with her." She accepted, and we began walking, arm and arm towards the rest, talking about various things and getting to know eachother more.
I glanced at her. "Ella," I said, "I wish we had met sooner. I have missed out on a beautiful friend."
Lady Rosriel - 42.5 miles
Early Morning Meeting
As is my habit (for reasons I am choosing to keep secret), I was up before the rest today. I began my daily routine, hiding myself within the woods, but paused when I sensed an onlooker. To my relief, it was only Legolas. He had known my secret almost as long as Elrond had, so I didn't care that he was reminded of it today.
"You still do that, I see."
"Of course," I said, continuing my preparations.
"Ella, people will love and accept you the way you are!"
"They didn't."
"I did."
"I know, but...nobody else did."
"We were young then. The young always pick on those who are different."
"Speaking of picking on others..." I started.
"Why do I get the feeling you're going to turn this conversation off of you and onto me?"
"Um...because you know me well?" I offered. "But listen, Legolas...about Lira...and a certain ranger..."
"Yes, I would like to speak to you about that as well," Lady Rosriel said, stepping up to us. I was glad I had finished getting ready before she arrived.
"You still do that, I see."
"Of course," I said, continuing my preparations.
"Ella, people will love and accept you the way you are!"
"They didn't."
"I did."
"I know, but...nobody else did."
"We were young then. The young always pick on those who are different."
"Speaking of picking on others..." I started.
"Why do I get the feeling you're going to turn this conversation off of you and onto me?"
"Um...because you know me well?" I offered. "But listen, Legolas...about Lira...and a certain ranger..."
"Yes, I would like to speak to you about that as well," Lady Rosriel said, stepping up to us. I was glad I had finished getting ready before she arrived.
~Ella Ellessanderil, 40.5 miles
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Trouble
I smell trouble. And not from an enemy or that dwarf...but rather from the numerous romances bubbling up around the camp. Most of the girls are either being secretive (like Ella and Raewyn), coming to me for advice (like Rosriel and Elanor) or glaring at me (like Lira, for some unknown reason).
Needing a break from all this, I followed my cousin Aldarion out of the hollow to do some hunting on the moor. I love talking to the other maidens, but every now and then I find myself needed to mix with the level-headed males in our party. (I think perhaps my head for leadership and organization has something to do with this tendancy)
After hunting down three rabbits in relative silence and beginning to skin them, Aldarion turned to me and asked, "Rosriel is your cousin on your mother's side, correct?"
I looked at him in surprise. "Yes. She is the child of my mother's half-sister."
Aldarion was the son of my father's brother.
He nodded slowly. "You've known her all your life?"
"Yes, we have been firm and fast friends for as long as we've known each other."
"Would you say that she's...as worthy as she seems?"
"More so," I assured him.
He went back to his work. I watched him, curious. Rosriel, of course, had confided her own growing interest in the ranger to me, but I had not seen any sign that the interest was returned. Until now, of course. His expression remained closed to my interpretation, but I knew that the fact that he questioned me at all spoke volumes. In all my years of being his cousin I had never known him to express interest in any maiden.
Suddenly there was a shout from behind us. I turned and saw Elladan speeding over the heather with a furious expression on his face.
I stood up quickly. "What is it? Has something-"
He cut me off with a scowl. "What in the name of Mandos are you doing?!?"
Aldarion held up his half skinned rabbit. "Hunting."
"Without a word to any of us?"
"Elladan!" I said sharply. "I am the leader of the party. He only needed to report to me- which he did."
The Elf spun around on me. "It is you we've been worried about! You vanished without a word!"
"We?" I raised an eyebrow. "I remember quite clearly speaking to both Rosriel and Vila before leaving camp."
He paused. "Lady Elena- for your own safety-"
"For my own safety I was with Aldarion!"
"An untested ranger!"
"Untested!" Aldarion rose, his own anger rising. "Pray, explain yourself!"
Elladan crossed his arms. "What wars have you fought in- what orcs have you killed- what dragons have you tracked down in the hills?"
"Experiance is not everything!"
I broke in. "There are no wars, orcs or dragons on this moor, Elladan! Now help us with these rabbits or leave us to our task!"
He hesitated for a long moment, then whipped out his long hunting knife and set to work on the third rabbit. But the looks he shot Aldarion would have killed- if looks could do such.
Needing a break from all this, I followed my cousin Aldarion out of the hollow to do some hunting on the moor. I love talking to the other maidens, but every now and then I find myself needed to mix with the level-headed males in our party. (I think perhaps my head for leadership and organization has something to do with this tendancy)
After hunting down three rabbits in relative silence and beginning to skin them, Aldarion turned to me and asked, "Rosriel is your cousin on your mother's side, correct?"
I looked at him in surprise. "Yes. She is the child of my mother's half-sister."
Aldarion was the son of my father's brother.
He nodded slowly. "You've known her all your life?"
"Yes, we have been firm and fast friends for as long as we've known each other."
"Would you say that she's...as worthy as she seems?"
"More so," I assured him.
He went back to his work. I watched him, curious. Rosriel, of course, had confided her own growing interest in the ranger to me, but I had not seen any sign that the interest was returned. Until now, of course. His expression remained closed to my interpretation, but I knew that the fact that he questioned me at all spoke volumes. In all my years of being his cousin I had never known him to express interest in any maiden.
Suddenly there was a shout from behind us. I turned and saw Elladan speeding over the heather with a furious expression on his face.
I stood up quickly. "What is it? Has something-"
He cut me off with a scowl. "What in the name of Mandos are you doing?!?"
Aldarion held up his half skinned rabbit. "Hunting."
"Without a word to any of us?"
"Elladan!" I said sharply. "I am the leader of the party. He only needed to report to me- which he did."
The Elf spun around on me. "It is you we've been worried about! You vanished without a word!"
"We?" I raised an eyebrow. "I remember quite clearly speaking to both Rosriel and Vila before leaving camp."
He paused. "Lady Elena- for your own safety-"
"For my own safety I was with Aldarion!"
"An untested ranger!"
"Untested!" Aldarion rose, his own anger rising. "Pray, explain yourself!"
Elladan crossed his arms. "What wars have you fought in- what orcs have you killed- what dragons have you tracked down in the hills?"
"Experiance is not everything!"
I broke in. "There are no wars, orcs or dragons on this moor, Elladan! Now help us with these rabbits or leave us to our task!"
He hesitated for a long moment, then whipped out his long hunting knife and set to work on the third rabbit. But the looks he shot Aldarion would have killed- if looks could do such.
Will You?
Would you imagine that! Legolas has joined our Fellowship! I can't say that I've ever been more pleased. He's been telling us stories about the first fellowship, and about my grandad's and Elanor's grandad Merry. And of Frodo. I wish now more then ever that I'd been able to meet him. Legolas says that I look very much like my gradfather Pippin, though I sound like grandpa Sam.
I sure do miss them both. Elanor, whom Legolas says reminds him very much of Merry, is still worried that her grandpa won't be alive when we get to Gondor. I've been trying to cheer her up by bringing her flowers now and then and doing small things for her. I really do enjoy her company, very much so.
We are spending the night in what Legolas says is the very same hollow the first Fellowship stayed in. Whilst Elanor and I were making dinner, we had a chance to talk together, somewhat by ourselves.
"What do you think of this place?" Elanor asked, looking around. "Imagine, the first fellowship stayed here!"
"Yep, though they weren't allowed a hot supper like we are," I added.
She laughed. "It is a very nice place, so pretty. I should like to stay here."
"All by your self?" I asked, dropping slices of potatoe in the stew.
She shook her head, "Of course not! I'd want friends to stay with me. But then," she added thought fully, peeling a carrot. "While I love seeing the world, I think that the only place I'd ever truly be happy is in the Shire."
I nodded silently, and for a while we chopped and peeled in silence. Then I asked, "So, since you want to live there, how do you think you'd like to spend your life, once we finish this and get back to the Shire?"
She looked up "Well," she said. "I guess I'd like to spend it raising a family, and living with the people I love, and who love me." She smiled. "And what about you Samdo? How do you want to spend the rest of your life?"
I took a breath, glancing up at her face. I set my knife down on a rock and shyly took her hand. "Well," I said. "I don't know much about the details of it, but" I paused, then went on. "I'd like to spend it with you."
She looked down, blushing, but before she could answer, Vila and the rest of the girls ran up and asked her to come pick flowers that were blooming nearby. She went with, but before she left, Elanor gave me a smile that made me happier then I'd been in a long time.
-- Master Samdo, 36 miles
I sure do miss them both. Elanor, whom Legolas says reminds him very much of Merry, is still worried that her grandpa won't be alive when we get to Gondor. I've been trying to cheer her up by bringing her flowers now and then and doing small things for her. I really do enjoy her company, very much so.
We are spending the night in what Legolas says is the very same hollow the first Fellowship stayed in. Whilst Elanor and I were making dinner, we had a chance to talk together, somewhat by ourselves.
"What do you think of this place?" Elanor asked, looking around. "Imagine, the first fellowship stayed here!"
"Yep, though they weren't allowed a hot supper like we are," I added.
She laughed. "It is a very nice place, so pretty. I should like to stay here."
"All by your self?" I asked, dropping slices of potatoe in the stew.
She shook her head, "Of course not! I'd want friends to stay with me. But then," she added thought fully, peeling a carrot. "While I love seeing the world, I think that the only place I'd ever truly be happy is in the Shire."
I nodded silently, and for a while we chopped and peeled in silence. Then I asked, "So, since you want to live there, how do you think you'd like to spend your life, once we finish this and get back to the Shire?"
She looked up "Well," she said. "I guess I'd like to spend it raising a family, and living with the people I love, and who love me." She smiled. "And what about you Samdo? How do you want to spend the rest of your life?"
I took a breath, glancing up at her face. I set my knife down on a rock and shyly took her hand. "Well," I said. "I don't know much about the details of it, but" I paused, then went on. "I'd like to spend it with you."
She looked down, blushing, but before she could answer, Vila and the rest of the girls ran up and asked her to come pick flowers that were blooming nearby. She went with, but before she left, Elanor gave me a smile that made me happier then I'd been in a long time.
-- Master Samdo, 36 miles
Oh, no....
Legolas took me aside that evening, with a rather stern expression on his face that did not bode well. I watched him out of the corner of my eye, apprehensively, hoping he was not going to act fatherly and ruin my fun again. My father, who had been a good friend of Legolas, had died during the War of the Ring, which, for some reason, had made Legolas feel responsible for me. Which, in itself, wouldn’t have been so bad, since I liked Legolas, but when it came to messing up our—Vila, myself, and sometimes some our friends—plans, that was just too much!
And it seemed he was going to again.
“Lira, I noticed that you were flirting with that young ranger earlier,” he began, frowning at me, and my heart sank. So that was it. Well, no matter what he might say, I wasn’t going to stop this time. I liked Anarion.
“So?” I said, my voice sounding a bit more defiant than I had intended it to be.
Legolas’s frown deepened. “I knew letting you and your sister join this fellowship without proper supervision would cause trouble,” he said with a sigh, more to himself than me. “But your mother seemed to think that being maids of Queen Arwen had settled both of you down a bit, and given you a chance to mature. It seems she was mistaken, however.” He waited for me to say something, and I cast around hastily in my mind for something to distract him, but he went on before I could think of anything.
“It’s a good thing I’m here to keep an eye on you now.”
Oh, no.
“Will you be staying with us?” I asked, carefully making my voice sound bright and cheerful, as though I was happy to have him with us. He looked rather suspicious at my tone, though, as well he might. I was fuming inside.
“Elenatintil had kindly invited me to join her fellowship, and I gladly accepted her offer.”
Oh, no.
My feelings towards Elena at that moment were anything but glad or kind, but I tried to look pleased. He was not fooled, though, and returned to the original subject.
“I hope you will stay away from Anarion, Lira, or I shall have to have a talk with him,” he said, the stern look back on his face. "He is a good man, and I won't have you breaking his heart for fun."
I considered denying his accusation indignately, but decided it would have the opposite effect.
So instead, I agreed meekly, while contemplating my revenge.
And it seemed he was going to again.
“Lira, I noticed that you were flirting with that young ranger earlier,” he began, frowning at me, and my heart sank. So that was it. Well, no matter what he might say, I wasn’t going to stop this time. I liked Anarion.
“So?” I said, my voice sounding a bit more defiant than I had intended it to be.
Legolas’s frown deepened. “I knew letting you and your sister join this fellowship without proper supervision would cause trouble,” he said with a sigh, more to himself than me. “But your mother seemed to think that being maids of Queen Arwen had settled both of you down a bit, and given you a chance to mature. It seems she was mistaken, however.” He waited for me to say something, and I cast around hastily in my mind for something to distract him, but he went on before I could think of anything.
“It’s a good thing I’m here to keep an eye on you now.”
Oh, no.
“Will you be staying with us?” I asked, carefully making my voice sound bright and cheerful, as though I was happy to have him with us. He looked rather suspicious at my tone, though, as well he might. I was fuming inside.
“Elenatintil had kindly invited me to join her fellowship, and I gladly accepted her offer.”
Oh, no.
My feelings towards Elena at that moment were anything but glad or kind, but I tried to look pleased. He was not fooled, though, and returned to the original subject.
“I hope you will stay away from Anarion, Lira, or I shall have to have a talk with him,” he said, the stern look back on his face. "He is a good man, and I won't have you breaking his heart for fun."
I considered denying his accusation indignately, but decided it would have the opposite effect.
So instead, I agreed meekly, while contemplating my revenge.
Monday, June 23, 2008
If you give an elf a cookie - I mean hug
This morning, I woke up to the sound of voices. Sleepily, I glanced around, but it appeared that all of my companions were asleep. Bemused, I sat up and looked around. Sounds from behind alerted me and I turned to see Ella along with another, very tall, blond haired elf, who looked very familiar...
"Legolas!" I shrieked happily, waking the rest of the camp. I bounded over my sleepy friends and strangled my cousin in a delighted hug.
"Rosriel!" He laughed and returned my hug. "I hardly expected such a greeting, even from you. It has only been a month since I last saw you!"
I hugged him happily, laughing as well. "You should know by now, my dear cousin, that I am always happy to see you... especially when you are unexpected."
He made fake choking sounds. "Well, you will not have the pleasure of my company much longer if you continue your strangulation of my neck!"
Giggling, I released him. I happened to look over at Ella, and saw that she looked slightly jealous. What could she be jealous of? I wondered. I turned back to the fellowship, who was now awake and staring. I was puzzled to notice that Raewyn and Lira also look a bit upset and envious. What is wrong with them? I am only greeting a cousin who I happen to be very close to.
"Legolas!" Elladan stepped forward, breaking the silence. "It is a pleasure to meet you again."
"And you," returned my cousin, who had apparently not noticed the envious looks I was getting. Feeling a bit self conscious, I let go of his arm.
Elena stepped forward, smiling. "Glad to see you again! What brings you here?" Well, I thought At least someone is not unhappy.
By turn, each member of our Fellowship greeted Legolas. Raewyn and Lira offered a slightly cold greeting, I noticed. Samdo and Elanor - the only two who had not met Legolas before - seemed slightly in awe of him.
"You were with the first Fellowship, weren't you," Elanor said.
"What was it like?" Samdo asked at the same time.
Legolas smiled. "Yes I was, and if you would like to hear about it, I would be happy to tell you sometime."
As long as he was occupied, I was determined to get to the bottom of the jealousy I was noticing among my friends. "Come here," I whispered to the three, dragging them off a ways.
"What is this for?" Raewyn almost snapped.
"What are you jealous about?" I retorted. "Do not try to deny it, it is very obvious that you are."
"Well then," Ella spoke up, her face red, but I could see she was almost crying. "Why do you get a greeting like that?"
"Yes!" shot in Lira. "And why do you get to give him such a friendly greeting? I thought you liked Aldarion."
My face flamed. "For your information, Legolas is my cousin. He was around while I was a child and growing up, and we are very close. I am an only child, in case you did not know, and he has always been like an older brother to me. Why should I not greet him with a hug? What is wrong with that? How could you be angry with me for showing affection towards a family member?" By now, I was practically in tears, and turned to walk away. I felt myself whirled around and wrapped in a hug.
"I'm so sorry," sobbed Raewyn. "I didn't mean to get upset with you. I understand, oh, please forgive me for hurting your feelins, I didn't mean it..."
I hugged her back. "Oh course I forgive you!"
Lira and Ella, both crying as well, also gave me a hug, "Will you forgive us as also?"
"Of course!" I laughed through my tears. "You are my friends, are you not?"
Hugging and smiling, we walked back to camp.
~Lady Rosriel - 36 miles
"Legolas!" I shrieked happily, waking the rest of the camp. I bounded over my sleepy friends and strangled my cousin in a delighted hug.
"Rosriel!" He laughed and returned my hug. "I hardly expected such a greeting, even from you. It has only been a month since I last saw you!"
I hugged him happily, laughing as well. "You should know by now, my dear cousin, that I am always happy to see you... especially when you are unexpected."
He made fake choking sounds. "Well, you will not have the pleasure of my company much longer if you continue your strangulation of my neck!"
Giggling, I released him. I happened to look over at Ella, and saw that she looked slightly jealous. What could she be jealous of? I wondered. I turned back to the fellowship, who was now awake and staring. I was puzzled to notice that Raewyn and Lira also look a bit upset and envious. What is wrong with them? I am only greeting a cousin who I happen to be very close to.
"Legolas!" Elladan stepped forward, breaking the silence. "It is a pleasure to meet you again."
"And you," returned my cousin, who had apparently not noticed the envious looks I was getting. Feeling a bit self conscious, I let go of his arm.
Elena stepped forward, smiling. "Glad to see you again! What brings you here?" Well, I thought At least someone is not unhappy.
By turn, each member of our Fellowship greeted Legolas. Raewyn and Lira offered a slightly cold greeting, I noticed. Samdo and Elanor - the only two who had not met Legolas before - seemed slightly in awe of him.
"You were with the first Fellowship, weren't you," Elanor said.
"What was it like?" Samdo asked at the same time.
Legolas smiled. "Yes I was, and if you would like to hear about it, I would be happy to tell you sometime."
As long as he was occupied, I was determined to get to the bottom of the jealousy I was noticing among my friends. "Come here," I whispered to the three, dragging them off a ways.
"What is this for?" Raewyn almost snapped.
"What are you jealous about?" I retorted. "Do not try to deny it, it is very obvious that you are."
"Well then," Ella spoke up, her face red, but I could see she was almost crying. "Why do you get a greeting like that?"
"Yes!" shot in Lira. "And why do you get to give him such a friendly greeting? I thought you liked Aldarion."
My face flamed. "For your information, Legolas is my cousin. He was around while I was a child and growing up, and we are very close. I am an only child, in case you did not know, and he has always been like an older brother to me. Why should I not greet him with a hug? What is wrong with that? How could you be angry with me for showing affection towards a family member?" By now, I was practically in tears, and turned to walk away. I felt myself whirled around and wrapped in a hug.
"I'm so sorry," sobbed Raewyn. "I didn't mean to get upset with you. I understand, oh, please forgive me for hurting your feelins, I didn't mean it..."
I hugged her back. "Oh course I forgive you!"
Lira and Ella, both crying as well, also gave me a hug, "Will you forgive us as also?"
"Of course!" I laughed through my tears. "You are my friends, are you not?"
Hugging and smiling, we walked back to camp.
~Lady Rosriel - 36 miles
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Some Added Excitement
Lady Rosriel's news yesterday, mixed with my excitement, has kept my spirits high this day. Last night was incredibly eventful for me (and this morning was for the others). The past few evenings, when others were asleep, I have kept on alert, searching for the elusive eyes. I knew I hadn't imagined them, and something told me whoever it was was still with us, so I continued my search. At last (though it had only been a few nights, my spirit was already waning), my search was rewarded.
I held my sword at the ready. Samdo rolled over in his sleep and I froze. I didn’t want to worry the others—or arouse their suspicions—with my sneaking around. Looking up into the trees, I thought I saw some movement come from one of them. I inched closer. Bad idea.
Whatever it was had now been alerted to my presence. The movement stopped and I knew they had leapt to another tree. If I could just find which one…
“Stop following me,” a voice said. It was firm, but not malicious.
“Who are you?” I asked.
“You know who I am. Is this a friendly group, or are you being held against your will?”
The voice did sound familiar. Very familiar. If I didn’t know any better, I would have thought it was… “Show yourself,” I said.
They complied.
“Legolas?!?”
Apparently, while I had been on my way to Mirkwood, he had been on his way to Rivendell, and both of us had been sidetracked. Even with his excellent vision, he couldn’t tell if I had been elf-napped or if I joined on my own, and was waiting for a chance to free me in case it had been the former.
I introduced him to the others this morning (those he had not already met), and he will be joining us for the rest of our journey.
~Ella Ellessanderil, 29 miles
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