The Hawk and The Raven

You wash the dishes as you try to keep yourself from going into a state of pure gloom. You haven’t heard from Lord Elrond or Erestor about the job and it’s been almost a full week. You now doubt you will ever hear from any of them. You guess they found someone more qualified. For some reason, that bothers you.

“You’d think they’d at least send a letter saying I didn’t get it,” you mutter as you scrub a pot with disgusting unrecognizable stuff at the bottom of it. “That’s it. Jasmine can never cook again.” How are you supposed to get diner started when you can’t even get the damn pot clean? You hear a knock at the door. Grateful for the interruption, you dry your hands on your apron as you go to answer it.

“Can I-“ you break off when you see Glorfindel standing at your door. He’s in the same attire he wore when you last saw him, except his shirt is a little too opened for your comfort. You are tempted to take your hands and- You see he is smiling. You guess he’s used to leaving elves breathless when they see him.

“Help me?” he finishes for you. “Yes, I hope you can.” He hands you a parchment. Your hands shake as you take it. “It was supposed to be mail a few days ago, but I thought it would be better to deliver it in person.”

You open the parchment. It reads:

Congratulations. You have been chosen as the Assistant to the Chief Advisor of Rivendell. All of your things must be packed and move into the house by Friday. You will be shown your tasks and start on Monday.

Erestor’s signature is small and quick, as though he has better things to do than sign a parchment.

“I’m supposed to be moved in by today!” you gasp. You shake the parchment at him. “You decided delivering it in person was more important than giving me more time to move out?”

Glorfindel looks uncomfortable. He stares at his feet and shifts from foot to foot. “I wanted to see your reaction,” he admits. Oh, he’s good at playing the sweet elf of every elf’s dreams. What gets you is that it’s working. You wouldn’t mind having a go at this blonde beauty.

The importance of the parchment takes your mind off of the elf at your doorway. You shout for Jasmine.

“What? What is it?” Jasmine asks as she hurries down the stairs. She is shocked when she sees Glorfindel standing in the doorway. Her eyes narrow. “What are you doing here?”

You hear the distaste in her voice and are surprised. Jasmine has always been a friendly and loving elf. Seeing her show her obvious dislike for an elf makes you uneasy.

‘I don’t have time for this,’ you think.

You show her the parchment. She reads it and her mood changes. She squeals and hugs you. “This is wonderful!” She notices the date as well. “We better start packing if we’re going to make it by the deadline.”

“’We,’” Glorfindel repeats. He shakes his head. “Only your sister has been hired to work for Lord Elrond and so she will be the only one given a room at Lord Elrond’s home.”

“She coming with me,” you state. “Now if you’ll excuse us, we have things that need to get done if we are to make it on time.”

“Fine. But you’re the one who’s going to have to explain to Erestor why you’re bringing your sister,” he says. This confuses you even more. Not once has Glorfindel shown any dislike for your sister. It’s almost as if he is being a patient parent while she’s acting like the brat.

‘Something’s not right about this,’ you think.

“Come on, Willow.” Jasmine grabs your arm and pulls you though the house. “We have a deadline.”

You are grateful you don’t have many things. You’re sure if you did it would have taken much longer to pack. You and Jasmine have finished in under a few hours while Glorfindel went to get a wagon for you.

Glorfindel struggles with one of your bags. “What in the bloody hell is in this thing?” he grunts as he puts it in the wagon.

“Books,” you answer.

“There are more than enough books in Lord Elrond’s home. Why do you need these?”

“Because they were given to me by Kali and they have notes in them that I may need. The others were given to me by my mother and I’d never part with those,” you answer as you toss your bag of clothes in the wagon.

Jasmine has about as much stuff as you. Over your shoulder is a sack that has all of your mother’s jewelry and your money. Glorfindel helps you into the wagon. Jasmine refuses his offer and jumps into beside you.

On your way to Lord Elrond’s home, you stopped by the elf you rented the house from. She refuses your last payment when she finds out you are leaving the furniture. “You just go and live, Willow,” she says. “And make sure to watch out for Jasmine.” You say you will and hug the elf good-bye.

“She’s always been a nice elf,” Jasmine says as you get back in the wagon.

“She is. Remember when she’d give us candy every time we visited her?” you ask.

“Yes. Those were the days.” It’s not long before Jasmine is tugging on your arm. “Look. Lord Elrond’s home.” Though you have seen it before, you are eager to get a glimpse of it again. You watch the large home come into view. It is white with walkways, porches, and balconies poking out from different parts of it.

As you near, you feel your heart race. What if the job is too much and you’re forced to leave?

Elves stand in uniform before the home. They quickly take your bags and leave you, Jasmine, and Glorfindel. “Welcome to your new home,” Glorfindel says. He offers you an arm. Too polite to decline, you take it before taking your sister’s.

“Erestor wanted you to report to him the second you arrived,” he tells you as he guides you through the home. You reach a pair of large mahogany doors. Glorfindel opens one of the doors and ushers you and Jasmine in. “This is where I leave you. Good luck.” He winks before he closes the door.

The room is covered with books. There are books stuff in the bookcases all around the room until they look like they are about to burst. There are books on the floor and in an armchair in front of a fireplace.

“I take it Glorfindel decided to deliver the parchment today,” a voice says. You and Jasmine jump. You barely see Erestor’s head over the stacks of books on his desk. He stands. If he is surprised by your attire (you hadn’t had the chance to change into a nice dress) or your sister’s being here, he doesn’t show it. “You can always rely on him to get the job done eventually.” You hear the sarcasm and have a feeling you’ll be hearing it more often than not. “Who is this?”

“This is my sister, Jasmine,” you say. “Jasmine, this is Erestor. He is the Chief Advisor of Rivendell and the one I’ll be working for.”

“Pleased to meet you.” Jasmine offers a hand and Erestor gives it a quick shake.

Erestor nods. “I’ll make sure to tell Lord Elrond to give you a room near your sister’s,” he tells her, noticing you two are still holding hands.

“Thank you,” she says.

“No need to thank me,” he says. “If you wouldn’t mind excusing us, Jasmine, I would like to have a quick word with Willow. After that I will take you both down to diner and introduce you to the elves who live here.”

“Sounds good to me.” Jasmine gives your hand a quick squeeze before she leaves.

You expect Erestor to fuss at you for bringing your sister. Instead he says; “You office is in the adjoining room. It has all of the things you will need for this job. If you want, I can give you a quick tour.” He notices your shocked expression. He frowns. “What?”

“It’s just. . . Glorfindel said I’d have to answer to you for bringing my sister since Lord Elrond didn’t say I could bring her.” You stare at the ground as you say this.

“Sounds like something Glorfindel would say. As hard as it may be to believe, I’m not cruel,” he says.

“I never thought you were-“ you begin.

“And I think it would be cruel to split up two sisters who are as close as you two. Especially when. . .” he clears his throat.

“When our mother went to Grey Haven not even two weeks ago,” you finishes for him.

“Yes, well, how about that tour?” He doesn’t wait for you to answer as he goes into the other room. You follow him in.

You are shocked. There are bookcases on either side of the walls. They are solid oak and filled with books of all sizes and colors. The desk is large and before a glass door that leads to the balcony. White curtains cover the large windows on either side of the door. Across from the desk is a wall covered with a map of Middle Earth.

You touch your desk in awe of how smooth it is. It is covered with pens, parchments, and a calendar. You notice dates in the calendar are already filled. From meetings to dates researches are due to days you have off; it’s all there before you.

“I have all of the important dates for this year written for you,” Erestor says. He stands beside you. Your heart speeds up a little when his arm brushes against you as he points out the dates. “You will have weekends off and a few days during the times we don’t have as much work to do.”

“What are the research things about?” you ask.

“Basically you will be required to go through paperwork of the businesses in Rivendell so we are able to figure how well we are doing. The businesses are split up into small groups so don’t worry about being overwhelmed.”

“I’m not,” you say. “Will my sister work here as well?”

Erestor thinks it over. “I believe Lord Elrond will find out what her strong points are before giving her a job.”

“Just don’t let her cook,” you say. You tell him about the time she somehow caused a cake to blow up. Cake got everywhere and you have still found pieces in various places of the kitchen. “The other day I found a piece of cake in the overhead lamp while I was cleaning it.”

Erestor chuckles. The sound is warm and causes your heart to flutter. “I’ll be sure to pass the message to Lord Elrond,” he says. He smiles at you and his eyes sparkle with mischief. “Are you a bad cook too?”

You cross your arms. “Of course not,” you huff. Your bad mood act falters and you laugh. “I’m just as bad as she is. The most I can cook is soup. I’m surprised our family didn’t starve when Mother got sick.” You stare off as you remember your mother singing as she cooked. Everyone said you got your voice from her. The voice of an angel. “Do you cook?”

“A little, before I came to Rivendell,” he answers. His smile fades. “Let’s go. We don’t want to keep your sister waiting.”

You want to ask why the sudden change. One minute he’s smiling and the next he’s blank faced again. There are two reasons you don’t ask; you don’t know him well enough and you doubt he’d answer you.

You follow him out of your office and into his. “Is this the only way out of my office?” you ask.

“Yes,” he answers. “Is that a problem?”

“Nope.” You see your sister slouching against the wall when you come out. She perks up when she sees you two.

“Geez, it took you long enough,” she teases. “I thought I was going to have to go in there just to make sure you two were behaving.”

Erestor doesn’t smile at the joke. “Follow me,” he says. When he turns his back on you two, Jasmine mouths ‘sorry’ to you. You mouth back not to worry about it. It’s not her fault she didn’t know Erestor doesn’t joke around. Hell, you didn’t know it either.

When Erestor walks through a large pair of wooden doors, you hear someone cry; “Finally! It took you long enough-“ The elf stops speaking when you and your sister enter the room. All eyes are on you two. The elf who was talking is staring at your sister. He has long dark brown hair and grey eyes. You can tell he is Lord Elrond’s son.

His twin brother elbows him before making his way towards us. “Pardon my brother, he’s not used to seeing dazzling elf maidens like yourselves,” he says. “Allow me to introduce us. I am Elrohir and the elf with his mouth hanging open is my brother, Elladan.”

“I am Willow and this is my sister, Jasmine,” you introduce. “I’m sorry you had to wait so long for us-“

“Don’t apologize. Elladan likes to pick on Erestor. I guess we can forgive Erestor for being late this time since he brought such beautiful company,” he says. You chuckle. He is a young elf, around your sister’s age possibly.

“They’re not just company,” Lord Elrond says. “Willow is Erestor’s assistant.”

Elrohir is shocked. He looks you up and down. “I can see why you all hired her,” he says.

Jasmine stands in front of you. Her eyes narrow on him. “I believe you owe my sister an apology,” she says. “One for practically drooling all over her and the other for trying to imply that she was only hired because of her beauty and not her intelligence.”

“Jasmine, it’s okay,” you say. Jasmine has always been overprotective when it comes to males flirting with you. “I’m sure he was just joking.”

“He was,” Glorfindel says. He looks you up and down. While Elrohir’s look was almost innocent, Glorfindel’s eyes tell you what he’s thinking. You feel your cheeks flush and you look away. “Elrohir is a very perverted young elf who likes to joke about such things.”

Jasmine surprises you when she turns to Erestor. “Is it true?” she asks. “Is he really just joking?”

“Yes,” Erestor says. “He’s not the one you’d have to worry about.” Something passes between Jasmine and Erestor. You don’t know what it is, but it must confirm whatever Jasmine is thinking.

“I thought so,” she whispers.

“Come and join me, Willow,” Lord Elrond says. “I’d like to get to know you and your sister better.” He is sitting at the head of the table with two seats open on one side. On the other side there is a chair empty beside him. Beside the empty chair is Glorfindel.

Glorfindel stands and pulls out the chair. You are about to walk over to him, but Jasmine grabs your hand and gives it a squeeze. She eyes the two empty chairs and you take the hint. You sit down in the chair beside Lord Elrond while Jasmine takes the chair beside you. Erestor sits across from you.

“Thank you, Glorfindel,” Erestor says as he sits in the chair Glorfindel had pulled out. Elladan and Elrohir chuckle. Elladan is sitting on the other side of Jasmine while his brother is across from him.

“I guess there is no need for introductions since you know everyone here,” Lord Elrond says. “My daughter is visiting her grandmother in Lothlorien at the moment and she won’t be back for another week.”

“Which is such a pity,” Elrohir says sarcastically.

Elladan doesn’t listen to him as he watches Jasmine. “Are you going to be your sister’s assistant?” he asks.

Jasmine laughs. “Are you kidding me? I’m not smart enough to do that stuff,” she says. “Math and history are weak points for me. I’m more for science and growing plants than adding up numbers in my head.”

“What kind of plants did you grow?” Lord Elrond asks.

“Herbs mostly,” Jasmine answers. “I’d also grow spices and vegetables for Mother when she could cook. I was able to make a bit of money selling the food and herbs for a while. I was saving up to-“ She cuts off and shakes her head. “Anyway, it didn’t work out. All the money went to taking care of Mother, rent, and food.”

You squeeze her hand. She leans her head on your shoulder for a moment before filling up her plate with ham, potatoes, and squash. You smile. It’s been a while since either of you had decent cooked food. You fill up your plate with ham, broccoli, and squash.

“What were you saving up for?” Elladan asks.

She blushes. She doesn’t like talking about her gift because she hasn’t been trained well enough to use it. You nudge her foot with yours. “Healing,” she finally says. “I have a gift at healing.” Lord Elrond drops his fork in shock. “I haven’t been trained how to use it, so I was saving up to go to Umbella’s school for healing. Giving up my savings wasn’t as hard for me as it was for Willow.”

“You can get all of the training you need here,” Lord Elrond says between bites. “I am a healer and I would gladly train you, starting Monday if you’d like.”

Jasmine’s eyes sparkle and her smile is bright. “Really?”

“Yes,” he answers. “Please tell me, why was giving up your savings harder for Willow?”

You shove a fork full of broccoli in your mouth and stare at your plate. “It wasn’t my savings, but hers. She had been tutoring those her age and was saving all the money she got. She had to work harder for her pay than I did. I only had to work with plants while she had to deal with lazy spoiled elves.”

“What was she saving for?”

You bring your hand up to your face and tap your mouth. She takes the hint. “It’s not my place to say,” she answers. She doesn’t offer anymore information. She busies herself by eating her meal.

Lord Elrond doesn’t push, but you can tell he wants to. Occasionally he glances at you. The awkward silence passes over. Glorfindel and Elrohir discuss the orc problem near the borders while Elladan and Jasmine talk about their favorite herbs. Even Lord Elrond joins in on Jasmine and Elladan’s conversation when he hears them mention herbs for healing headaches.

As for Erestor. . . well, he’s currently staring at you in a way that makes you think he can see through you. Your fork trembles in your hand. Your cheeks are burning and your heart is pounding. You can’t believe he’s affecting you like this when he’s not even touching you. Hell, he’s not even saying anything to you! Sure, Glorfindel gets your cheeks flushing from his lust filled looks, but it doesn’t compare with how Erestor makes you feel.

You put your fork down and meet his gaze with your own. You’re not one to beat around the bush, so you ask bluntly; “Why are you starring at me?”

“What were you saving up for?” he asks.

The question brings silence to the table. Everyone but you and Jasmine stare at Erestor in wonder. When Erestor doesn’t break his gaze with you, you sigh and know you’ll have to answer.

“I was saving up for lessons,” you answer.

“What kind of lessons?”

“Singing. I was saving up for singing lessons because I wanted to take them from Madame Vairna,” you answer.

“Don’t you have to be really good to get lessons from her?” Glorfindel asks.

“Willow is really good,” Jasmine snaps. She looks at you and rubs your hand. “Madame Vairna even cut the fee in half for Willow so she’d have a chance at taking lessons.”

Lord Elrond is stunned. “You realize what a high honor it is for Vairna to even consider cutting the price in half, don’t you?” he asks.

“I do,” you answer. “I saved up for twenty years and barely made enough to pay for a few years. I had to quit because Mother got sick. I wasn’t even able to save a penny because of the costs for the painkillers-“ You hear the bitterness in your voice and fall silent. You pick up your fork and stab a piece of broccoli.

“That’s why it was harder for Willow,” Jasmine says. “I didn’t know what I was missing when I gave up my money, but she did.”

Erestor is still staring at you. You feel your frustration rise up your throat. “What?” you snap.

“Do you still want to sing?” he asks.

You can’t meet his eyes. You look at your plate as tears fill your eyes. You think about singing everyday of your life. You wish you could have been like your mother and traveled around Middle Earth, singing for people and hear them praise you for your talent. If nothing else, you want to take lessons again. You poke at your squash and say softly, “There are many things that I’d like to do in life, but I know I won’t be able to because that’s life.”

“Would you like me to show you the herb garden tomorrow?” Elladan asks Jasmine. You are tempted to kiss Elladan for changing the subject.

“I’d like that,” she answers. “Would you like to join us, Willow?”

“No thank you,” you answer. You have a feeling Elladan would like to spend some time with Jasmine alone. “I’d like to explore a bit tomorrow before getting to work,” you meet Erestor’s eyes when you are sure your tears are gone, “if that’s okay with you.”

“Of course,” he says. He is about to say more, but Glorfindel cuts in.

“I can show you around,” Glorfindel offers.

You wait for Erestor to say whatever he was going to say, but he stays silent. You wish you could read his face to figure out what he’s thinking, but that damn stone mask is in place. You are about to say yes, but Jasmine cuts in.

“Shouldn’t Erestor show her where everything is at?” Jasmine asks. “After all, isn’t he the one who knows what places will be useful for her work?” The questions are innocent enough, but you’re sure she has a motive for it. You’ll have to ask about it when you get a chance to talk to her in private.

“That is a very good point,” Lord Elrond says. Is it just you or does he seem ecstatic to hear Jasmine’s suggestion? “What do you think Erestor?” Erestor keeps the same blank face as he jerks his head in a quick nod. “That settles it. Erestor will show you around tomorrow.”

Glorfindel frowns, but doesn’t complain. You can tell he wanted to be the one who showed you around. ‘Probably all the way to his bedroom,’ you think. You shiver at the thought of him laying you across his bed. You may not like him personally, but you don’t know if you’d be able to stop him if he ever tried to have a go at you.

“So, what do you do here?” Jasmine asks Elladan.

“I’m the healer while my brother is the fighter,” he answers. You smile. You know well enough Jasmine fancies Elladan. She is fiddling with her hands like she always does whenever she gets nervous. And she’s only nervous around elves she likes.

For the rest of supper you dodge Glorfindel’s heated glances and Erestor’s blank stares as you talk to Lord Elrond, who has asked you to call him ‘Elrond.’ You have a feeling he finds the way Glorfindel and Erestor are acting amusing.

‘Great,’ you think. ‘At least one of us is getting a kick out of all of this.’

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