^everything between these signs is Westron^.

Chapter 24 – The Day Before

^Elf, if you speak of one more plant, I swear I will take this axe and cleave you through,^ Gimli finally exploded after three hours of aimless walking.

^If you had yielded earlier we would not have had to do this,^ Legolas pointed out reasonably, his beautiful voice coming out a little hoarse. Three hours of non-stop talking was liable to do that.

^I most certainly did not put you up to this torture.^

^You did say that you were as cultured as an elf, I was only making sure that you had enough knowledge to back that claim.^

^This is not culture; I would not wish this on my enemies. Okay, maybe on those Wargs, but then only if I was in a really bad mood.^

^I will have you know that it is a mark of good breeding if one can speak of plants and gardening. It shows that you are a complete individual.^

^Completely insane is more like it. What do you think, Faramir?^

^I thought it was most enlightening. I was hoping that Prince Legolas would continue,^ Faramir said eagerly. Both dwarf and elf looked at the human as if he was a few arrows short of a full quiver.

^Lord Faramir, are you sure you have not been in the sun too much today?^ Legolas asked with the utmost politeness. Even he was tired of hearing his own voice; if Gimli had not shut him up he would have cut his own throat.

^Of course not, I find the Palace’s gardens enthralling,^ Faramir said with a completely straight face. He had not become Gondor’s finest diplomat by being obvious. ^Though I must say, I would much prefer meeting your lady.^

^Aye lad, when do we meet her?^ Gimli asked impatiently. ^We have to approve of the lass before you can marry her.^

^And what does one have to do to win your approval, Master Gimli?^

All three males spun around to find Rhinure standing at the entrance to the garden, followed by her ever-faithful shadows.

“My Lady, we did not hear you.” Legolas went forward to escort his Lady down to his friends. It felt a little strange to think of her as such, but he figured he should get used to it, since the wedding was tomorrow.

“Of course not, my Lord. It is a wonder you heard anything over that riveting speech.”

Faramir burst out laughing at the dismay on Legolas’ face causing Gimli to look at him. ^It seems as if the Lady is not fond of gardens either.^

^They tend to lose their charm after one has been through them fifteen times.^

^It was not that many,^ Legolas interjected heatedly, ^I am sure it was only thrice.^

Rhinure cocked an eyebrow, not needing to say anymore.

*~ If you want to play it that way, my Lady. ~*

^I am sure you will learn to appreciate them if you are given time and opportunity, my Lady. Would you like to accompany us while I show Master Gimli and Prince Faramir the rest of the grounds?^ The expression on Legolas’ face could only be called evil.

^As you wish, my Lord. But are you not going to introduce me to your friends?^ Rhinure had faced battle and torture; a morning stroll was not beyond her tolerance – she hoped.

^Ah, forgive me, my Lady. Lady Rhinure these are my dear friends: Prince Faramir, Steward of Gondor, and Master Gimli, Lord of the Glittering Caves.^

Both bowed to Rhinure and Legolas almost choked when she returned their greeting with a graceful curtsey. He did not think it possible for Rhinure to do that.

“Are you well, my Lord?” Rhinure asked, looking over her shoulder at the spluttering Legolas.

“Fine, just fine,” Legolas got out.

“Then we should continue. I do not think that Master Gimli’s patience will hold any longer.”

Faramir gallantly offered Rhinure his arm while Legolas dredged up all the knowledge of plant life he had ever learnt. Gimli sighed, preferring to face Sauron himself at this moment.

 x – x – x – x – x – x – x – x

^It is a lovely day today.^ Faramir began looking for an opening. Lady Rhinure seemed to be an unusually silent maiden.

^Is it? I had not noticed much difference from yesterday.^

That ended the weather conversation. Faramir was tempted to talk about the garden but for some reason he felt that Rhinure would not be greatly interested. The complete disinterest in her eyes as she looked around her might have had something to do with his decision.

^You speak Westron very well, my Lady.^

^My Avari teachers thought it best that I learn the Common Tongue, especially since you humans are so … abundant.^

^Avari? You are Avari, my Lady? I thought they had all died out.^

^You obviously thought wrong, my Lord, did you not?^

Faramir was not sure how to react to this new piece of information. Thinking about he should have realised that Legolas’ bride was unusual, even by elven standards. Though he had seen dark haired elves before, there was a coldness to Rhinure which was disconcerting. She had the elven grace, but it was the grace of a well-made blade. The way she moved was like a finely honed weapon in the hands of a master. The softness and gentleness he had come to expect from female elves like Arwen was missing in Rhinure. She was beautiful but in a deadly way, obvious to the observant eyes of the human.

Faramir had sensed the danger in this female from the moment he had seen her on the top of the garden stairs. The absolute stillness with which she watched them reminded him of a predator sizing up her prey. Rhinure was a warrior, and a competent one. Faramir was no fool; he had heard the tales spoken of the Avari – dark traitors. While he was willing to judge Rhinure on her own merits, he did recognise that the old tales had some validity to them. The Avari, no matter what tale was told, were always described as dangerous. If Rhinure was an Avari, it would explain why his instincts advised caution.

“Do I meet with your approval, my Lord?” Rhinure asked in a low voice.

^My lady?^

“I know you speak Sindarin, my Lord. I heard you speak it with Prince Legolas. “

Prince Legolas? Why did she refer to him by title, rather than by his name? What kind of elleth was Legolas marrying?

“It is true, my Lady, I do speak Sindarin, but that is not what I was referring to earlier. I was wondering about your question.”

“I asked if I met with your approval.” The question was not a jest. Rhinure was serious, she had seen the way Faramir had sized her up, analysed her, compartmentalised her. Now she wanted to know how she had measured.

To Faramir’s credit, he did not dismiss the question as feminine pique, or desire for flattery. Neither did he feel the need to dissemble, Rhinure was pleased to note. “My Lady, I hardly know you. To make a judgement would be premature.”

But he would make a judgement eventually; Rhinure was under scrutiny. And both knew it. She did not say anything, silently accepting Faramir’s words for the warning they were. They both walked in silence, content not to waste more words.

Faramir noted the three guards that followed them at a discreet distance. “Your bodyguards, my Lady?”

“Yes.” Rhinure moved them forward so she could introduce them to Faramir – and point him out to them. “This is Ehtewen, my First Guard. The one next to her is called Istion. I am completing his training at the moment. And I believe you already know my Second Guard, Morion.”

Faramir nodded to the first two Avari but did a double take when he saw Morion. “You are the Captain that escorted us to Mirkwood.”

“I am no Captain but I did escort you Mirkwood.”

“You are Lady Rhinure’s bodyguard?” Faramir asked a little pointlessly.

“I believe that is what my Mistress just said.”

“Ab tum jaa secte ho.”                     <You may leave now>

 Morion saluted Rhinure and fell back into position.

“Was that Avari?’

“Yes.”

“It is very different from Sindarin.”

“Probably because it is not Sindarin.” Why did men insist on making pointless statements?

“How different? Does it derive from Sindarin?” Faramir asked curious. The scholar in him stirred and struggled to escape from the warrior and statesman.

And Rhinure was happy to oblige him; “Avari is an earlier language so it does not follow Sindarin. I believe it has more in common …”

Faramir listened with interest. This was fascinating; maybe later Lady Rhinure would be open to explaining the origins behind certain stereotypical portrayals of the Avari.

x – x – x – x – x – x – x – x

^It seems as if your lady and Faramir have hit it off. They are chattered like little excited birds,^ Gimli commented happily.

Legolas did not say anything, straining his elven ears to hear what Rhinure and Faramir were talking about. He did not put it past Rhinure to try to intimidate Faramir, though it would be a monumental task – the Steward was notoriously strong-willed. But, as Legolas was learning, so was Rhinure. He did not want any conflict today. However, they seemed to be having a pleasant conversation. Legolas could have sworn he heard the words Avari and culture. What were they talking about and why did Faramir seem so happy? It was unfortunate that Rhinure spoke in such low tones, she was obviously conscious that Legolas was trying to hear what she was saying.

^Lad, if you do not pay attention to where you are walking, you are liable to find your face greeting the dirt.^

Legolas blinked, ^What are you speaking of Gimli?^ He did not appreciate the distraction.

^I am sure that Faramir is having a perfectly respectable conversation with Lady Rhinure. There is no reason for you to strain yourself trying to listen in. Anyway, it is not polite to eavesdrop, my cultured friend.^

^ I am not eavesdropping, it is not my fault if I just happen to hear what they are saying. Either way, it is irrelevant.^

^Is that why your fists are clamped together?^ Gimli asked, watching the elven prince clench and unclench his hands unconsciously. This lady of his did get him riled up.

^What are you implying, Master Dwarf?^ Legolas arched a brow at the dwarf, challenging him to answer the question.

^Absolutely nothing, my friend. Now if you would remember that you have other guests who need your attention as well.^

x – x – x – x – x – x – x – x

“So all Avari wear this bracelet, this karha?” Faramir asked, gently running a thumb over the karha that Rhinure was showing him.

“Yes, all Avari take the first oath. The rest are sworn voluntarily, if and when the person feels that they are required.”

“I am not sure how this works, my Lady. How binding are the oaths? For example can a person holding three oaths command an Avari to swear loyalty to another?”

“It does not work so directly, my Lord. I may command Ehtewen to serve you with what appears to be complete loyalty. I can order her to protect you with her life and she will do it since I hold her Three. But I cannot command her to be loyal to you. I cannot command her to be loyal to me. I cannot command her to feel anything.”

“I am sorry, my Lady. I do not understand. If Lady Ehtewen serves you, protects you, and is willing to die for you because of her of oaths then do you not command her loyalty?”

Rhinure shook her head, “No, my Lord. I command her actions, I cannot command her emotions. What she feels is private, hers alone. She may hate me but she must obey me. Her actions are bound to me, not her heart. The end result might be suggestive of loyalty, but no Avari oath is based on sentiment.”

“Why not, my lady? Would it not be easier to bind her devotion to you? It would result in her acting the same way as she does now, and you would be more certain of her.”

“I am certain of her now, my Lord. Anyhow, how would you bind something which may change, which cannot be monitored? Emotions change, mutate. They cannot be controlled; actions are more certain. They can be watched, judged and compared.”

*~ Emotions are treacherous. They cannot be trusted; they cannot form a basis of any relationship – any agreement. Actions are safe. ~*

Faramir saw the wisdom in this. No one but Ilúvatar could know what a person felt in the privacy of his soul. If you were going to forge an unbreakable contract then it was better to do it on the basis of something concrete.

“You understand, do you not, my lord?”

“Yes, my Lady. It is not the way we do it, but I can see the benefits of your system. It is highly efficient.”

Rhinure tilted her head to acknowledge the compliment. This human was perceptive, and more open than some Elves she had met.

“May I ask, my Lady, why you speak so openly to me? After all, you hardly know me.”

Rhinure looked at the human – maybe he was not so discerning as she had thought. “Because you asked me, my Lord.”

*~ And I do not lie. It is waste of time. ~*

x – x – x – x – x – x – x – x

^Avari! Are you telling me I rode here with blasted Dark Elves!?^ Gimli almost exploded.

^Yes, and if you would be so kind to keep your voice down.^

^Why, I am not afraid of any Dark Elf?^

^Lady Rhinure, soon to be my wife, is a Moriquendi. And you would be foolish not to fear her.^

^I apologise, lad. I did not mean to offend or suggest that your wife was not worthy.^

*~ And she probably is not. ~*

^But we have faced countless dangers; why would we be afraid of a mere woman?^

^First of all, just because we faced countless dangers does not mean that we were not scared of them.^

^Speak for yourself, Elf.^

^As you wish, I am not so stubborn to admit that I have been scared, terrified of what we have faced. There is no dishonour in admitting such. It is a sign that I do not underestimate the enemy, ever.^

*~ So she is an enemy, is she? What kind of marriage are you getting yourself in? ~*

^And, more importantly, Lady Rhinure is not a mere anything. If nothing else, she is a worthy opponent.^

*~ And that intrigues you. Ai, what am I going to do with you? ~*

^Are you sure you are going to be marrying this lady tomorrow and not battling her?^

^I have a feeling that it will be one and the same thing, Gimli,^ Legolas said smilingly, blue eyes sparkling.

*~ And Ilúvatar help me, I am actually looking forward to it. ~*

x – x – x – x – x – x – x – x

“My Lady, it was you who invited us, was it not?” Faramir asked quietly.

“You received invitations from the King, did you not?”

“Yes.”

“Then you are guests of the King.”

“But our escort was Avari.”

“And?”

“And you sent them.”

“Yes, I did.”

“May I ask why, my Lady?”

“Because you needed an escort, my Lord.”

It seemed the stereotypes of Avari inscrutability were true, Faramir reflected. How to phrase the next question? “I am sure Prince Legolas appreciated the gesture,” Faramir said carefully.

“I am sure he did,” Rhinure said softly, her wrists throbbing again, right where Legolas had kissed them.

“It was a lovely gesture.”

Rhinure glanced at Faramir, was there a point he was trying to make? “You are his allies, his comrades. It is fitting that you should be here for his joining.”

*~ You make him happy. I would have someone do what I cannot. ~*

Faramir watched Rhinure’s face, took in the determination behind that calm façade. She had done it for Legolas, he was sure of it. And it gave him hope.

x – x – x – x – x – x – x – x

^My lord, I do not think there are more gardens around the palace,^ Rhinure called out to Legolas as the Sun was setting. They had spent the entire day walking about aimlessly and Rhinure wanted to return to her chambers. She needed to start preparing herself for the wedding tomorrow – mentally, if not physically. Tomorrow her old life ended and there was no return for her. She had to be sure that what she did was correct. She needed time.

^Yes, Elf. My feet hurt and I would like to eat.^

^You always want to eat, it is enough to mistake you for a Hobbit.^

^Bah.^

^My lord,^ Rhinure called out again, effectively stopping Gimli and Legolas from walking any further.

^It seems as if I am outnumbered. We will have to continue this some other time.^

*~ Not if I can help it. ~* Four very different people were surprisingly thinking the exact same thing as they entered the Palace.

x – x – x – x – x – x – x – x

A/N: I think it is time for the wedding to happen, don’t you?