Stuck In The Middle

Caladwen's Story

   ''Yes, my dear, join.'' Elrond says, calmly.

''That's suicide.'' Kate states, bluntly.

Atalanta looked at Kate, determined. ''Katheryn, we both know it isn't suicide! We know the fate of the quest.''

''We know the fate of the other members! Not ourselves!'' Kate shouts.

''So? We're tough!'' Atalanta shouts back.

''Not quest worthy tough! Therefore, it isn't worth dying!'' Kate retorts.

''WELL, YOU KNOW WHAT? I'M GOING, KATHERYN! DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT WE COULD DO? WE KNOW FATE! KNOWING FATE MAY BE DANGEROUS IN THE WRONG HANDS, BUT WE CAN USE IT TO OUR ADVANTAGE! WE CAN SAVE BOROMIR. WE CAN SAVE THOUSANDS THAT DIE IN THIS WAR! THOUSANDS! I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU SAY, KATHERYN, BUT I THINK THAT IT WOULD BE BLOODY WELL WORTH IT, TO SAVE THAT MANY PEOPLE! AGAIN, I'M GOING, REGARDLESS OF WHAT YOU SAY!'' Atalanta all but screams. Why didn't Kate get it? They could save so many people.

''Damn.'' Kate whispers, quietly. ''That seemed very well rehearsed.''

''Both of you, stop it!'' Ashley says, suddenly. ''Lord Elrond, I'm sorry, but this is a very emotional time. We are grateful for your invitation, and we will think hard on it. You must forgive us, for being loud and rude.''

Lord Elrond nods his head, sincerely. ''I understand. This world must be new to you. We have some spare rooms, for you girls.''

''Thank you for your generosity, Lord Elrond.'' Ashley says.

Elrond clasps his hands together, before standing up straighter. ''Alassëa, Hûredhiel, Caladwen!''

Three girls hurried into the courtyard, looking at Atalanta, Kate and Ashley curiously. Atalanta kept having to remind herself that it was probably rare to see men – well, woman. But it's called men, isn't it? – in Rivendell. Usually only elves, with the exception of Aragorn – aka Elessar – stayed there.

The first girl stepped forward. She had curly, long dirty blond-hair, and her pale skin seemed to have a glow in it, like the moon. She curtsied and smiled. ''Lady Katheryn, I am Alassëa. I will be your servant, My Lady.''

Kate smiled, softly. ''Hello, Alassëa. Please, call me Kate. And thank you.''

Alassëa nodded and gestured for Kate to follow her. The girls whispered in hush tones, and Atalanta couldn't hear them. Meanwhile, the second girl stepped forward. She had dark brown skin, something that was rare for elleths. She had long, wavy, dark brown hair, and dark green eyes. Her eyes were kind, and she approached Ashley.

''Hello, I'm Hûredhiel. At your service, Lady Ashlina.'' Hûredhiel bowed, and Ashley shook her head.

''Again, drop the 'lady'. And, actually, my name is Ashley. I see you've met Tinuviel.'' Ashley said.

Hûredhiel smiled. ''I will escort you to your room, Ashley.'' Ashley glances at Atalanta, who was avoiding her gaze. Atalanta knew that she should join the fellowship, but she didn't know how to tell her twin that. Ashley turns away, chatting quietly with Hûredhiel.

The last girl, Caladwen, stepped forward. She had icy blue eyes, but there were swirls of green in them. She had long, straight, platinum blond hair, and she was rather tall, like Atalanta herself. They were the same height, so it would be less awkward conversing with the elleth, who looked like royalty.

''And you're Atalanta. I assumed, like your twin and sister, you'd tell me to 'drop the lady'. Yes?'' Caladwen asked. Her voice was rough, and Atalanta raised her eyebrow. So, she got the tough servant lady. Good, that means this lady wasn't a soft, gentle, kind elleth.