Chapter 44: Decisions

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Legolas watched carefully as Elrohir looked at Laralen, who was not exactly looking like herself, and wondered if the young lord could tell but when Elrohir merely looked and then turned away to face the prince, Legolas was slightly disappointed and in awe at what Laralen and her people could do. Imagine the uproar they would face when their powers would be used for evil. 

"Legolas," Elrohir did a small bow before Elladan came bounding down the steps in greeting, his face warm and friendly, quite different from Elrohir's unusual demeanor. Elladan, too, made a quick assessment of the young messenger boy beside Legolas who kept his head down. 

Falasdir grabbed Laralen by the shoulders, shaking her a bit, and smiling as if they were the best of friends. 

"New on the field," he explained. "Doesn't really know her- his, way around yet. Forgive her lack of responses and respect." At this, Laralen somehow realized what she had done wrong. She had not greeted the two lords like how any messenger or servant would. She bowed then, without speaking, for her voice remained unchanged. 

Elladan studied her for a moment and smiled. "Well then, welcome to Rivendell. If I am not mistaken it would be your first time here?" 

Laralen gave a small nod. Elladan raised a brow in question at Falasdir and Legolas. 

"A little shy," Legolas explained. "Doesn't speak much." He hated lying to the twins but somehow he didn't know how it would go if they both found out it was Laralen. How long has it been since they last saw her? From the look on Elrohir's face, it has been long enough. 

"I see," Elladan had a tone of curiousity, glancing at Elrohir and back at Laralen the messenger boy. Legolas wondered if he figured it out. 

"Your eyes remind me of someone," He spoke those words casually with a soft tone before turning and gesturing for all of them to follow. Elrohir had not spoken a word, neither would he turn to look at the three elves following him and his brother to where they held the meeting. 

Elladan stopped by a tall arch that led to one of the outside meeting rooms of Rivendell. Legolas could already see a group had gathered, and not only one race. He could identify most of them but the ones that seemed to look like children where new faces. Elladan gestured out an arm and Legolas looked back at a very amused looking Falasdir and a frightened messenger boy whose emerald eyes looked at the prince with such uneasiness Legolas felt bad about leaving her with them. He gave them a short bow, and walked out the arc.

When they were alone, Falasdir took one of Laralen's elbows and dragged her away from the twins who were busy listening in on the meeting they were not supposed to be in. Laralen felt some sort of faint pulse of energy from the room as her eyes landed on a golden ring placed at the center. What was it? She had wondered as Falasdir dragged her away. 

"Of all the things Ari could not change, it had to be your most distinct feature," He started when they were far enough. He turned and watched Laralen's expression change from serious to sad. 

"I should have just waited outside the borders then," she muttered as they walked down the hall into an open balcony where they had a clear view of the waterfall. 

"And miss the opportunity of seeing him?" Falasdir asked, an eyebrow raised. Laralen did not answer. He gave out a sigh. 

"You look better as a guy," he said, changing the subject. Laralen turned to him with narrow eyes but instead of arguing she simply sighed. 

"Maybe that would have been better, if I was born a guy." 

Not the response Falasdir was hoping for. "Come on," he says, taking her hand and dragging her with him. "You are no fun when you are moping around. I think I have had enough sadness in the past years to deal with more this year." 

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