[ Leave Some Love | Wild-N-Crazy Women ]
Posted by Shelly on June 8, 2004, 4:41 am, in reply to "TWotR: Fellowships & Relationships {2/12}" Upon waking the next day Illuminaria was greeted by Lady Arwen. "My father told me you would be awake," she said to the younger female elf. "I brought you a gown to change into. I did not think you had any clothes when you were brought here." "Thank you my lady," Illuminaria said softly. "'Tis true that I have only the clothes on my back to wear. The wraiths scared off my horse, which carried my bags." Arwen smiled kindly. "If you're feeling strong enough we are having breakfast now. I shall send someone up to show you where if you'd like." "Thank you," Illuminaria said getting out of bed and picking up the sapphire blue gown Arwen had given to her. "I'll let you change then," Arwen said and left the room. Illuminaria found a basin and wash cloth to wash up with and quickly dried off and pulled on the gown. She brushed out her waist length hair and pulled half of it in to a braid. Making sure that she looked presentable one last time she opened the door to her room and was greeted by Legolas. He smiled seeing her out of bed and cleaned up. "Arwen said you would be ready to come down to breakfast," he said, never taking his eyes from her. "You look lovely," he said giving her the crook of his arm. She blushed and looped her arm through his. "Ah," Elrond said looking up from his conversation with Gandalf. "Illuminaria, my dear girl, so good to see you out of bed." She smiled at him and glanced around the table at the motley crew. "You've already met Arwen and Legolas," Elrond said noticing her eyes flitting from one guest to the next. "This is Gandalf the Grey," he said motioning to the wizard beside him. "That is Aragorn," he said pointing to the ranger in black seated next to Arwen. Illuminaria's eyes lingered on Aragorn, knowing the story of his heritage. "Over there is Boromir, son of the Steward of Gondor," he said motioning to a man sitting on the far end of the table. "And these two halflings are Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrin Took of the Shire." Merry and Pippin looked up from their food and smiled at her, their cheeks full of food. "Lord Elrond," she said curiously looking at the hobbits. "Weren't there four halflings?" "Indeed there are four halflings," Gandalf said smiling at the young elf. "Frodo Baggins was stabbed by a Morgul blade and has still not awakened. His companion Samwise Gamgee sits with him day and night. The poor boy doesn't rest unless it is demanded that he does so." "Please sit," Elrond said motioning to a seat next to Arwen and Aragorn. She did as she was told and Legolas took a seat next to her. As she ate her food in silence she listened to the other conversations going on around her. Elrond and Gandalf were very secretive about their conversation and her superior elvish hearing could not make out what they were discussing. "Would you care to walk with me," Legolas asked her after they had eaten. "All right," she said softly and took the hand he offered to help her get up. Elrond, Gandalf, Aragorn and Arwen all watched as Legolas and Illuminaria left the dining area hand in hand. "Looks like the young elf is quite smitten by this stranger," Gandalf said with a smirk. "I can't blame him," Aragorn said smiling. "Would it not for the fact that I have found my beloved I would be smitten as well." Arwen smiled and kissed him on the cheek. "Let us all hope that he will do the right thing at the council despite the fact that he is indeed smitten," Elrond said seriously. "Love is wonderful thing, but in the face of war it can be a terrible weakness." Illuminaria gasped at the pure beauty of Rivendell. Legolas had taken her out to the waterfall, where they sat on a rock and watched the crystal clear water gently falling. Plucking a bright blue wildflower from the ground he handed it to her. She accepted it, blushing slightly, and tucked it into her braid. "I'm glad to see that you are feeling stronger today," he finally said. "I was quite worried when I brought you here. I was afraid you wouldn't last the ride." "Thank you for bringing me here," she replied softly. "I owe you my life." "I could not leave an elven maid to die in the middle of the road," he said. "Especially one of such beauty." "You flatter me far too much Master Greenleaf," she said chuckling. Her expression grew serious then. "What is this council that Lord Elrond and the others keep mentioning?" "I'm afraid that only Elrond, Gandalf and Aragorn know the answer to that question," Legolas replied frowning. "I think it has something to do with the halfling that still has not awakened." "I don't like the way they talk of the council," Illuminaria said softly. "It frightens me, though I know not why." A chill ran up her spine just then and she shuddered. "Come," he said helping her to her feet. "There's a chill in the air. Let's go warm up by a nice fire." While the men held a discussion in one corner of the gathering room, Illuminaria stared at the flickering flames in the hearth. "You seem to have found a male companion," Arwen said smiling as she sat down next to her. Illuminaria gave her a slight smile and sighed. "Something troubles your mind. What is it?" "Arwen," she began and thought a moment about how to word her question. "Do you know anything about this council that your father and the others will have soon?" Arwen shook her head no sadly, she too felt a foreboding about this council. "Tonight I saw dwarves coming to Rivendell. This can not be a sign of something good if they would venture out of their mines to come here. I'm filled with a growing fear." "My heart is also weary with fear," Arwen said glancing over at Aragorn. "Something evil is taking over Middle-Earth and I fear things will never be the same once all is said and done." She reached out and placed a reassuring hand on Illuminaria's shoulder. "Would you like to come with me to check on the injured halfling? Perhaps it will take our minds off of our worries." Illuminaria nodded and followed Arwen up to the room that Frodo had been brought to. Arwen knocked softly and a rumpled and tired looking hobbit answered. "Evenin' lady," he said to Arwen softly. "How is Frodo, Sam," Arwen asked as he moved aside to allow her into the room. "Still sleepin'," he replied sadly. "Something I'm quite certain you'd like to be doing," Arwen said smiling kindly. "Oh no miss," Sam replied shyly. "I've gotta sit by Mr Frodo's side." "If you would like I will stay with him," Illuminaria spoke up. Sam eyed her warily. "I was injured myself," she told him. "I was brought here to be healed and from what I'm told I was at death's door." Sam looked at her amazed, the only remnant of her injury was a fine line on her forehead that soon would be healed completely. "So you see, if I can be healed by Lord Elrond then surely your friend can be as well. You have nothing to worry about and I promise to send for you if he wakes up." "That is a very kind offer Illuminaria, but you need your rest as well," Arwen said. "I feel much stronger today than I did when I was first brought here. The halfling needs his rest more than I do," Illuminaria replied. "If he will trust me with Frodo I would watch over him while he rests." "If you're sure then, miss," Sam said to Illuminaria. "I could use a bit of food and sleep." "Go on," Illuminaria smiled. "Frodo will be fine." Arwen's eyes questioned Illuminaria's decision as she silently led Sam out of the room. Settling down into a chair by the window Illuminaria gazed at the hobbit for a while, watching his chest rise and fall as he slept, and then she turned her gaze to the moonlit night outside. Her thoughts soon turned to Legolas. She felt a strong connection with him, perhaps because he had been her savior. She knew in her heart that she was falling for him and that both excited and frightened her. Smiling she settled into the chair and closed her eyes, hoping to get a little bit a sleep before Sam returned.
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