Her Resurrection

chapter 8

"Are you ready?" Arwen asked. Her hand was resting lightly on my shoulder, a comforting and reassuring touch.

"Yes, I believe so," I said, attempting a courageous smile.

Her beautiful face held only compassion and a steady resolve. I was far from ready, however. If I could change all of this, I certainly would. College classes was even starting to look good compared to this, but I squared my shoulders and took a shaky step through the doorway, when all I really wanted was to run as fast as I could.

"I tell you, brother, that horse can run as fast as the wind! No other could outrun him."

"I'm not so sure about that. Culdir is very fast paced, and with his stamina I wouldn't be surprised if he were the fastest horse within 100 leagues."

"That's ridiculous! I wager-"

"Ah! Esther!" Lord Elrond said with a relieved look in his eye.

I grinned graciously and gripped my skirt in my sweaty palms.

"Thank you for interrupting these two. I was beginning to tire of their bickering," he rose and took my arm with a smile and drew me to the table. Placing me in the seat next to Celebrian, he swept back around the table.

"Bickering?!" The twins cried out.

Elrohir turned to me and shook his fork in my direction, a determined gleam in his eye. "Esther, I'll have you know that Forswoth is the fastest horse I have ridden yet. He would leave Culdir behind in a cloud of dust!"

"Don't listen to him. He knows nothing of horseflesh," Elladan said dryly.

"Its good to have you two back," I said. "I was missing the sound of bickering in the early hours," I said to Celebrian's and Arwen's amusement.

They glared playfully and wore the same mischievous smiles on their faces, unable to keep the glare directed towards me.

"Miss us, did you?" Said Elladan.

"Which did you miss the most?" Elrohir placed his fork down and leaned against the table on his elbows, his hands folded and a mock seriousness on his handsome face.

"Oh, I don't know," I took a sip of the water placed in front of me, playing for time and hoping it would draw out their anticipation. It seemed to work, for they leaned forward impatiently, and Elladan even tapped his fingers on the table in an un-Elven fashion.

"Well?"

"Oh, yes, well I think perhaps I missed Culdir the most. We have become good friends," I said with a small smile, thinking of the sweet tempered stallion.

The brothers blustered indignantly, while the others laughed at their stricken faces. I remained calmly sitting in my seat, sipping on my water to hide my grin. Then the looming events ahead of me reminded me that I may not be having many more of these moments, and I savored it as if it were a pool in the desert. How would they react? Would they scream and curse me out of their house? Would they listen to me calmly and then sadly toss me out for keeping the truth from them? Or would they help me find my way back home? I knew this place was magical. I could feel it in the air around me, and very nearly taste it on my tongue. Someone here must know a way to send me back!

"Come, Esther," Arwen pulled me from my thoughts as she and her family stood gracefully from the table. "We are going to a private room tonight, instead of the Hall."

Gulping nervously, I placed my cup down with shaking hands and stood from the table to follow them. The small sitting room was located in the families personal wing, secluded and quiet. On the air was the faint sound of the singers as they began their nightly serenades. Even if no one was around to listen, the home always seemed to be filled with music.