Fan Fiction ❯ Blue Rose ❯ Meeting and Departure ( Chapter 1 )

(I do not own Lord of the Rings or any of the characters within but I do own Fernala and the random human. *smile* I wrote this a long time ago on paper and am just now typing it out. I had also started a sequel to it with a friend, but never finished… so if this goes well, I might post the sequel. *shrugs* And those of you who have seen Mononoke will spot a rather large quote tee hee! Enjoy!)

Chapter 1 Meeting and Departure

"Alright Mickle!" the man said as he stood at the door of inn. He patted his friend's back and sent him on his way just as the night started to rain. The man stayed at the door to watch and make sure that his tipsy friend made it over the bridge alright. The man smiled and turned to go back inside just as he heard an odd sound. "Is there a dying animal out there?" He reached for the lantern that hung just over the door, took out his dagger, and made his way into the forest that surrounded his inn. The man followed the noise, looking where he could for its source. Thunder rolled and the cries became more urgent. "Where is the damned thing?" He moved the lantern around and blinked when through the pounding rain, he saw a flash of white.

"Merciful me! What was that?"

Lightening flashed and he saw it again. He held the lantern higher and saw a bit of cloth coming from a large hole near the bottom of an old oak tree that was surrounded by bright green ferns. "What's that then?" he moved close and his eyes widened. It's a baby!!" He got to his knees and set the lantern down. The man reached into the hole, and pulled out a baby wrapped in a soft, white, silken cloth that had intricate interlace all in its weaving. "So that's why they abandoned her…" the man sighed after getting a good look at the baby. He picked up the lantern and took the baby back to the inn with him.

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3000 Years Later.

Three travelers made their way down the dirt road on pure white horses. Two of the men had elvish bows strapped to their backs. They had long light-golden brown hair and slightly pointed ears. Between them was a tall, dark haired, regal looking elf.

"My Lord," the elf on the right spoke. "The night falls and there is an inn nearby that is friendly to our kind."

"And it would be nice to sleep in beds instead of on the ground. Don't you agree father?" the elf on the left said to the brown haired elf.

"Very well," the elf Lord spoke up. "We will stop there, but remember my sons that this area of Middle Earth is generally unkind to our people."

"Yes father," both elves smiled at the elf Lord and at each other.

The trio only another two miles before they came upon the Winding River, an inn and tavern that was just on the outskirts of a town which rested on the other side of the river. They dismounted and tied the horses to a nearby tree before entering the inn. There were a lot of people in the tavern; mostly humans and one or two dwarves. There were only two workers busy with serving. The man spotted them first, "Please sirs," he smiled, "find a seat and we'll be right there."

The twin elves shrugged after looking at each other and followed their father over to an empty round wooden table. They took the seats on either side of their father. "It seems friendly so far. Don't you think Elladan?" the elf on the left asked his brother.

"I must agree Elrohir, but we have only just walked in." said Elladan before looking at his gloomy father. "My Lord Elrond, I know that it has been five decades to the day that the Lady Celebrian sailed into the West, but my Lord, you should let her rest now and go on with your own life."

"It heavies out hearts" Elrohir spoke, "to see out noble father still mourning for our mother. All three of us, Arwen, Elladan and I, have allowed her to rest. And we know that she wants you to be happy and not lament over her any longer."

Elrond looked at his sons and smiled, "You are both correct, and I will take your advice. I should let her rest."

The three elves became startled when they heard the tavern door slam shut. Rushing through the tavern now was a young maiden with long light brown hair, in a green dress. "Uncle Sictal! Aunt Mar! I'm home!"

"Hurry child!" the elder lady called to the girl while tending to cleaning plates from a now empty table.

"Yes ma'am!" the girl quickly tied on her apron before going to grab her round tray.

"In the corner child! Tend to the travelers!" the elder man called from his work.

"Yes, Uncle!" She rushed over to the table of elves, "Good evening sirs and welcome to the Winding…." She trailed off when she realized that the travelers were not human. She could only stare at the three pairs of eyes that gazed upon her. The middle pair was more intent than those of the other two.

"Is something the matter dear maid?" Elladan asked of the brown haired girl.

"You… you're elves!" she blinked when she realized what she had just said and bowed her head, begging for forgiveness. The twins blinked at her as she kept asking to be forgiven for her rudeness.

"My dear girl," spoke up Elrond, much to the twins' amazement. "Your mistake is much forgiven." He couldn't take his eyes off of the girl. "What is your name child?"

The girl blinked, "My name is Fernala, sir, and I am sorry to disappoint you, but I am no child."

The twins had sly grins on their faces as they turned from her, to their father. "She is right father." Elladan said.

"Doesn't even look like a child." Elrohir smiled, "She is very much a woman,"

The elf Lord gave his sons a cold stare before looking back at the girl. "Well Fernala, I guess that I am now the one to ask for your forgiveness."

"I would never hold a grudge against a handsome Elf Lord such as yourself." Fernala blushed at her own words.

Both of the twins raised their eyebrows with interest at her, then looked back at their father who was watching her intently. They looked at each other and both nodded before turning back to the girl.

"May we have a drink?" Elrohir smiled at her.

"Oh!" Fernala caught herself, "Yes! Do forgive me. What shall I get for you kind sirs?"

"Your finest ale if you please!" Elladan smiled.

"Alright, I'll be right back!" She left and they watched her as she personally filled their three mugs. When she returned, she was smiling brightly and had a warm glow about her. She sat their drinks in front of them before going off to serve at other tables. As she served, the twins noticed that their father hardly joined their discussions, that he couldn't stop watching the girl, and that she kept stealing glances at him when she could. Each time, her cheeks became more rosy.

"You seem taken by her father." Elrohir smirked.

"I know not what you speak of." Elrond looked away. "She is like any other human girl."

"No… I think you are mistaken on that one father." Elladan smirked before looking towards the girl. "There is something about her that sets her apart from the other men here."

"Oh?" Elrond blinked.

"Yes," spoke Elrohir, "I would personally like to see her ears. Just for curiosity's sake."

All three of them blinked when they heard an elder man call out.

"Oi! Fernala! Dear, sweet, Fernala! Sing us a tune will you?! The one that brings tears to my old eyes!"

"Oh! You are not that old Tom!" Fernala smiled at the man.

"Oh come now Fernala!" another spoke up. "Sing to us that lovely tune you said the wind sang to you!"

"Which one? The wind is always singing! As does the river!" Fernala pointed out as she giggled.

"The one with the bow and the knife!" a third voice rang out.

"Alright, alright! One song, but then I must get back to work!"

Almost the entire tavern cheered in approval. As she was helped by a few of the men onto one of the tables, Elrond called over her Uncle.

"Yes sirs? How can I help you?"

"Pray tell sir," Elrond began. "Why does she hide the sides of her lovely face with her long hair?"

"Well we aren't quite sure of that ourselves sirs. You see, she came to us a few years back, saying she was our kin and wished to help around the inn because my little girl had gone to live with her husband in town."

Elrond gave a nod, "Thank you sir." The man bowed before leaving. Fernala was trying to get everyone quiet. After a few minutes she successfully got the place quiet and started to sing.

In the moonlight I felt your heart

Quiver like a bow-string's pulse

In the moon's pale light

You looked at me

Nobody knows your heart

When the sun has gone

I see you, beautiful and haunting,

But cold

Like the blade of a knife

So sharp, so sweet

Nobody knows your heart

All of your sorrow, grief and pain

Locked away in the forest of the night

Your secret heart belongs to the world

Of the things that sighs in the dark,

Of the things that cry in the dark.

She held the last note, letting it die slowly. I f people weren't clapping, they were wiping tears from their eyes.

"A lovely lyric soprano," Elrohir said. Elladan nodded to his brother in agreement, "It does put a tear in one's eye. What did you think father?"

"That she was singing for me." Elrond sighed as his eyes were once again transfixed on the girl who was now smiling and taking the complements of those around her with gratitude. The boys didn't say anything to him about it after that. They only sat and watched the people around them as they ate a quick supper. They had informed the inn keeper, Fernala's Uncle, that they would require two rooms. One for the twins and one for the Elf Lord.

It was late when they went up to their rooms. The twins gave their goodnights to their father before going into their room. They stayed up another hour as they sat, talking of their travels thus far. They were laughing at when they had seen a dwarf fall into a large mud puddle, when they heard a knock at the door. Elladan grabbed hold of his bow and Elrohir took out his dagger. "Who is it?" he demanded.

"Fernala. I have come with a special tea to help you sleep and dream of goodly things." Her voice was sweet.

The twins looked at each other then back at the door. "Is there milk and honey?" Elladan asked.

"Those are the main ingredients, yes," Fernala's voice was singsongy.

The twins looked at each other with wide, excited eyes. "Well what are you waiting for?! Lets her in!" Elladan said excitedly to his twin who quickly got up to unlock the door.

Fernala was standing there with a tray of three steaming mugs. She walked in and smiled as she sat the tray on the table.

"Why did you bring three, my Lady? Do you wish to join us?" Elladan smiled at her as she handed them the drinks.

"No, the third is for your father." She smiled.

"Fernala, tell us about your family." Elrohir smiled before sipping from his mug. Elladan looked at his brother oddly, then shrugged before taking a few gulps of the warm liquid.

"I never knew my real father and mother, but I was raised here in this valley. Every few years I will go and live with the other part of the family in the next valley… I've never left these two places."

"I see… so how old are you?"

Fernala blinked at him before picking up their father's mug. She quietly went to the door and turned to grab the door handle. She started to close the door, but stopped to look at the confused looking twin elves. She smiled kindly at them and shook her head. "3000 years old this October 28th." And with that she shut the door on the now smiling twins.

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Elrond sat quietly in the chair next to his room's fire berth, reading a small book. He had his booted feet perched up on a wooden stool. Every now and then he would lookk up from his book, at the wall that separated him from his two sons. "They are far too noisy. I shouldn't have let them live among men so much…" He trailed off when he heard a knock at the door. "Who may I ask is knocking?"

"It is I! Fernala, my Lord." Her voice was a bell in the quiet room.

"The door is open, do come in my dear girl." Elrond sat the book down and quickly stood as the door opened. Fernala walked in, shutting the door behind her. She had a cup in one hand and a smile upon her face. "What brings you to my room, dear Fernala?"

"I have brought you and your sons an evening tea that will help with sleep." She stepped forward to set the cup on the table that was near to him.

"Thank you. That is most kind of you."

Fernala blushed, "If I may ask a question of you sir?"

"If I may ask one of you."

This made her cheeks even more rosy than before. "Of course."

"Then you may ask a question of me." The elf Lord stepped closer to the girl.

"You and your sons are traveling yes?"

"Yes."

"Well… I was wondering…"

"About?"

"Your Lady, sir. Their mother. Does she not travel well?"

Elrond became silent for a moment then sighed, "No… I am sorry to say that my Lady has been gone from us for these past fifty years."

"Oh!" Fernala's eyes widened with realization. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry."

"It is alright." Elrond smiled at the girl. "Now my question of you."

"I am ready."

"I would like to see your ears. May I?"

Fernala blushed and gave a nod. She was about to reach to pull back her hair when the Elf Lord beat her to it. /his soft fingers gently brushed the hair that fell about her face, to rest neatly behind her ears. She had never before allowed anyone to do such a thing for fear of their thoughts of her. Her ears were like his and she shivered when he ran his fingers over them. "I see… so… you are an elf. That explains quite a lot of things." He said before drawing away to the drink she had brought to him. He drank from it.

"I am only half elf… or so I was told, my Lord." She bashfully moved her hair back to covering her ears.

"Why do you hide them?" Elrond asked of her after seeing what she had just done. Fernala looked away, "Not too many people in these parts like elves. They would run me out or take me to Mordor or something even worse."

"You shouldn't hide. We are a strong people and protect one another." He smiled at her once more. "Come… sit upon the stool and face the fire."

"Yes, my Lord." She blushed as she moved passed him, to sit on the stool. She felt the air move behind her as he sat back in the chair that he had occupied only moments before. "Do you fear me?" he asked of her.

"No, my Lord."

"Good…" he reached and moved her hair back behind her ears once again. Fernala blushed before closing her eyes to feel his soft caresses as he took a few strands of her long bangs and began to braid both sides. When finished with them, he pulled them back to braid them together behind her head.

***************

By the first of the sun's rays, all three of the elves had been up and were getting ready to depart. The twins were outside tending to their horses while Elrond spoke to Fernala's Uncle.

"Before you go sir," Sictal handed Elrond his riding gloves. "I was hoping that you could do something for us."

"I know that you knew she was one of us. There is no need to tell me this now." Elrond looked at the man.

"It isn't that sir… I know that she told you. I had a feeling that she would. It is just… she has never really fit in here and it is rather dangerous for her as well. Well, the thing is, sir, I was hoping that perhaps you could take her with you. You know, to be with her own kind."

"I'm afraid that I must decline, for we are journeying to Lothlorein and that journey will be dangerous with an unknowing elf with us." Elrond began to walk towards the door, then stopped to think for a moment. "Wait. No. On our way home, we will stop here again. We will take her with us then."

"But how long will it be until your return?!?" the short man asked with urgency.

"At the least, a week. At the most, two." Elrond replied while slipping his hands into his riding gloves.

"I would wait an eternity if you told me to do so." Fernala's voice could be heard. Both men turned to look at the maid who had snuck upon them. "My child, how long have you been there listening to us?" the innkeeper demanded.

"Not long Uncle. I only heard a little."

Elrond was smirking at her for her hair was still the way that he had fashioned it the night before, and in her hand was an elvin dagger. "I would rather you not wait an eternity my lovely Fernala. For I wish to see you sooner than that."

His kind words made her blush once more and she held the dagger to her chest.

"Father! We are losing the day!" Elrohir called as he and his twin sat upon their beasts.

"You can write her love songs on the road!" Elladan chided with a smile.

Elrond turned and gave his sons a warning glance before turning back to Fernala and her uncle. "Please do not mind their antics." He took Fernala's hand into his own and raised it to his lips. "Until we meet again my dear." He kissed her hand softly and let it go before turning to go to his horse. He mounted and didn't look back as he and his son's began to ride towards the bridge.

Fernala couldn't stand it, she had to make sure her dream was coming true. She ran forward, calling out to him. "My Lord! My Lord! Do you promise to return?!?"

Elrond turned his horse to look at her as his sons crossed the bridge. He called out to her. "I give you my word, my fair Lady!" His horse reared in protest as he had it start across the bridge at a gallop to catch up with his sons.

Fernala sighed as she watched them disappear. She held the dagger closer to her chest as she walked back to the inn.

(A/N- Did you all enjoy the first chapter? There are three in all! And the next two aren't as long as the first… *sweatdrop* and the third chapter is only 26 paragraphs long. Anywho, in the next chapter, the noble elves return to claim Fernala, but find that the inn has been burned down and she has been taken! Oh my! Read the next chapter to see what happens! Oh! I am trying to type out this fic as well as my L&F fic (which was also written a while ago and already a sequel too) so you will all have to forgive my slowness. Ja minna! =^.^=