Into the World of Elves

Ch 10- I didn’t ask for this!

“Gimli!” Temperance said, slumping in relief.

“Aye lass. Who did you think it was?” The short man asked, looking around.

“No one important.” Temperance assured the dwarf. Nodding Gimli stood silently. Temp waited for him to state his reason for being there. When he didn’t say anything she spoke.

“Can I help you with something Gimli?” She asked quietly. Gimli started then cleared his throat.

“I came to see if you were alright. After what happened in the Great hall I thought you might be upset.” Gimli said gruffly. Smiling Temperance bent down to hug Gimli.

“I am fine. It’s all been cleared up.” She said, giving him a gently squeeze. Quickly Gimli pulled away.

“Good. Now since you’re alright I can go teach these elves how to wield an axe.” He said.

“Why are you teaching them how to wield an axe?” Temp asked.

“After a few thousand years of nothing. You are willing to do anything for amusement.” Gimli stated matter of factly. Temp laughed.

“I supposed.........” She started but stopped hearing footsteps down the hall.

“I must go Gimli.” She cried and ran down the hall. Gimli watched Temp run down the hall and shook his head.

“The lass is daft.” He said, went to fetch his axe.

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Temperance ran down the hall thinking it was Elrond who was coming down the hall to dole out the punishment. She ran as if the very devil was on her heels. She hurried down the corridor nearly knocking over quite a few elves that dared enter her path. Stopping in front of a door she tried the handle.

“Thank GOD! ” She cried and ran into the room.

“Legolas you have to help ........AH!!!! YOU’RE NAKED!!!!!” Temp cried clapping a hand over her eyes after spotting a dripping wet Legolas standing in the middle of his room.

“That is generally how one take a bath.” Legolas drawled, in amusement.

“What?! No it isn’t!!!!!” Temp cried.

“It isn’t?” He asked.

“No. You always wear something when you bathe!!!” She said, in nervous embarrassment. She heard him chuckle and moved across the room.

“I shall remember that next time.” Legolas stated.

“Good because I don’t want to see you like that.” Temperance lied. Slowly Temperance dropped her hand and saw with disappointment that Legolas had wrapped a towel around himself. She must have made her disappointment known because Legolas looked up from tucking the towel closed. A grin slid across his mouth, and he straightened. Temperance’s eyes widen as he started towards her.

“You don’t want to see me unclothed? Why?” He inquired softly. Temperance cleared her throat.

“Because you’re my friend and one should never and I mean NEVER! See their friend undressed.” She replied with false vehemence. Legolas stopped before her placing his hands on either side of her head, holding her prisoner.

“Or mayhap you aren’t as unaffected by me as you like to pretend.” He stated huskily, leaning towards her.

“You think that’s all it takes elf? Two can play at that game.” Temp thought to herself. Smiling coyly up at him she arched up towards him, her lips a breath away from his, and placed a hand on his shoulder, sending a thrill up her arm.
... .... Perhaps you can’t take the fact that I am not falling at your feet.” She purred, running a hand down his chest and across his taut stomach. She felt his muscles tensing, and watched his eyes darken. Temp nearly crumpled to the floor at the look in his eyes. Regaining her composure, Temp snatched the towel from his hips. The moment he reached down to retrieve the lost coverage, she bolted from the room. Only to come face to face with Galadriel, who smiled at her warmly.

“Temperance. I have been looking for you.” Galadriel said, coming forward to take Temp’s hand. Temp laughed nervously and glanced back at Legolas’s door praying that he wouldn’t burst out of it.

“Really? Why?” Temp asked. Smiling Galadriel led Temp down the hall.

“You have brought new life to this place.” She , lo, looking Temperance over.

“I have? How so?” Temp asked. Galadriel seemed to contemplate the question. After a few moments silence she answered.

“You have brought about a change in the way things were. Life had become lifeless? Everything was the same. You have brought about a change in people. Some seem to be thriving on your trouble making.” Galadriel said, holding her arms behind her back.

“Trouble making? Now that’s just unfair!!!! I haven’t caused any trouble!” Temp cried. Galadriel sent her a look.

“Alright so I have caused SOME trouble but it wasn’t intentional!” Temperance grumbled. Smiling Galadriel walked out unto a veranda that provided an aerial view of the gardens. Looking down into the gardens Temperance watched a solitary figure moving through the maze.

“Who is that?” She asked, nodding down at the elf. Galadriel turned her attention towards the gardens and Temperance watched as both sadness and pride showed on her face.

“That is Celebrían, the wife of Elrond. She is also my daughter.” Galadriel stated, continuing to watch her daughter wander. As if knowing that Temperance was wondering at her sadness she turned to her.

“She was taken by Orcs and nearly killed. Elrond was able to heal her physical wounds but the emotional ones were still raw. Once well, she came to the undying lands wishing to be away from such a terrible world. Since her full recovery she has taken to the past and never returned.” She revealed quietly. Temperance turned back to the woman in the garden.

“She’s beautiful.” Temperance said. Galadriel nodded and sighed.

“Yes she is but then again we all are.” She replied.

“Not all of us are. I wish I were and elf.” Temperance thought to herself.

“One day you will be proud of your heritage.” Galadriel said, shocking Temperance. She said nothing of her shock only let the comment pass. The pair stood watching the blonde elf. After a few moment of silence Temperance turned to Galadriel.

“How long has it been?” She asked quietly. Galadriel had known the question was coming for she turned and smiled fondly at Temp.

“It has been too many years to count.” Galadriel told, and in a motherly gesture brushed the hair away from Temperance’s face. The gesture comforted Temperance and she thought how nice it was to have a mother figure. Then guilt crept in over the fact that she thought such a thing. Galadriel noticed the change in her and took her hand.

“Come I would show you something.” Pulling Temperance along Galadriel entered the room they had just exited. There in the center of the room was a table she had not noticed before for, in the center lay a silver basin, next to it a tall silver ewer. Temperance slowed her step and pulled her hand from Galadriel’s. She knew what that basin was. Galadriel took hold of her hand once more.

“Come do not be afraid.” She said pulled Temperance to stand before the empty boNervNervously Temp waited for Galadriel to tell her the purpose for bringing her here. Galadriel uttered no words, simply poured the contents of the jug in the silver basin. When she stepped back she motioned Temperance to the basin. Slowly Temperance moved forward to lean over the shimmering water. Images appeared in the crystal clear water, images of her family. Silently she watched for a few moments then stumbled away in incredulity. Temperance turned widened eyes upon Galadriel.

“T- they are happy!” She stuttered. Galadriel nodded.

“Yes, to them it has been a long time since your disappearance. We do not know the exact time difference but we know it is substantial.” Galadriel said, patting Temperance’s hand affectionately.

“I see.” Temperance said quietly, and left the room with out another word. She was still reeling from what she had just seen, when who should appear.

“Come with me Temperance.” Elrond said sternly. Sighing heavily Temp followed him into his study only to find that Haldir and Legolas were there to witness her humiliation. Elrond turned and stood directly in front of his desk. Elrond was silent for a moment and then he opened his mouth. Stiffening her spine Temperance readied herself for the attack.

“You have caused yet another disruption Temperance. You seem to have a knack for trouble making. Just this morning you were caught in a compromising position with Legolas and now I heard that you spit your wine in Haldir face when he was trying to teach you. We have done everything we can to help you better adjust to this environment yet you fight us at every turn. What have you to say Temperance?” He asked, disappointment evident in his voice. Temperance looked at the other two elves in the room and they looked away immediately. She was still stinging from her session with Galadriel and this was the last straw.

“I didn’t ask for this!!!!! I didn’t ask you come here!!!!!” Temperance started hoarsely. The trio watched on speechless.

“I didn’t ask to see Legolas naked!!” She cried, causing Elrond and Haldir to jerk towards him.

“That was an accident!” Legolas said hurriedly. Neither responded, as their attention was drawn once more to Temperance. They watched er eer eyes turned wild, her chest heaved with emotion.

“I didn’t ask for lessons from Haldir! And I sure as hell didn’t ask to be forgotten by my family as if I never existed!!!” She cried. She felt the hysteria rising and blanched at the idea of crying in front of them. Turning she ran blindly from both the room and the building. Elrond and Legolas both moved forward to go after her. They were stopped by Galadriel who appeared in the doorway a hand raised to stay them.

“Give her time. Then you may go.” She said. Both men knew of whom she was speaking. Nodding they backed down.