The husky, yet utterly feminine voice held a playful note of amusement as it asked the question.
Both Elrond and Glorfindel, who had just helped the recovering Melpomaen to get back on his feet, turned their heads sharply to look at her.
Noticing their definitely less-than amused reaction, the female's own expression sobered.
" I apologize for my feeble attempt at humor." She said, contritely. " And also humbly ask your pardon for my actions towards your guard. Though I assure you I did nothing that will cause him any damage."
Glorfindel instinctively started to reach back down for his sword, only to have Elrond place a restraining hand on his arm. The Lord then addressed the female.
" I would know why you took such action..Lady. As I would know your purpose in this room." He said, although the light of understanding was begining to flicker in his eyes.
The female rose from the bed in one fluid move, coming to stand before them. She touched the fingertips of one hand to her own forehead, then brought the hand down to touch her heart with an elegant flourish, before bowing low from the waist.
" I am Ja-zel." She said, straightening. " And I can see by your eyes that you have already guessed at least some of the reason for my presence in this room."
She looked at Elrond as she said this, then encompased the other two elves within her sight as she continued.
" Know that I mean no harm to any here. Least of all, him."
A tender smile crossed her face as she turned to glance back at the slumbering advisor. Once again the elves sensed, as they had in the courtyard of the healing wing, that she was a being possessed of a great gentleness, intelligence and temperance. And somehow, they knew her words were the absolute truth. Their initial shock and alarm dissipated, making them suddently aware that she was standing completely naked before their eyes.
And she was a sight to behold...
Dark honey-brown hair fell in a curling mass down to her slim waist, enriching the tan color of her skin. Her breasts were ripe and round, topped by the dark buttons of her small nipples. The faint traces of a series of scars ran down her taut stomach and across one well-defined thigh. She was muscular and had a curviness unseen in elven females. Her face as well, was less delicate, with full lips and sharp cheekbones. Under her slightly arched eyebrows her rich, dark eyes were framed with a subtle slant that lent them an exotic quality.
At first glance, she could have passed for one of the Haradrim, but for three things: Her ears, that unlike those of the elves, lay nearly flat against her head, then tapered up into a sharper point. The musculature of her body, which exuded a clear sense of her enormous feral power. And of course, the tail...
Elrond felt a slight twinge beneath his robes as the sight of her shapely form found favor with the human portion of his heritage. Glorfindel, who had never found females appealing in that way, found himself admiring her, instead, purely as one warrior who recognizes another of his ilk. While Melpomaen blushed furiously as he tried, and failed, to look elsewhere.
" I know you have many questions and I will gladly answer all of them, but I must first ask two boons from you." She looked at Elrond, who nodded.
" For one, I would like to know how your cub fares, Lord of this realm."
" Cub?..." Elrond was confused for a brief moment, before he realized who she meant. " How did you know...?" he trailed off
" By the words you exchanged with his twin and by your scent. It marks them as coming from your loins." She smiled gently, " Is he well?."
" Aye, Lady. He will fully recover." Elrond smiled back at her. " Your kind intervention and help have saved his life and for that, I would grant any boon you ask that is in my power to give. I also offer you the hospitality of this house, for as long as you wish to stay."
She bowed again, respectfully.
" I am humbly grateful for your offer, and now find even more reason to ask for the second boon." A mischievous expression crossed her face. " There was no time to retrieve the pack containing my belongings and it remains well hidden within the white-topped mountains. As it is obvious that your kind do not go about unclothed, I would ask if there are some rainments I might have, along with needle and thread so I can make the necessary..adjustments..for my wear." She cocked a self-deprecating eyebrow as she swished her tail against her lower calf.
Her words brought the fact of her continued nudity glaringly back to their full attention and all three elves inmediately averted their eyes, much to her amusement.
" Off course, Lady." Elrond looked at Melpomaen.
" Go to the head seamtress and have her prepare a fully stocked sewing basket. Tell her I want to present it as a gift. Say nothing else."
" Aye, my Lord." The assistant left the room, making sure to shut the door behind him.
Realizing that it had been open all this time, Glorfindel gave Elrond a wry grin. With a sigh, Elrond turned his gaze back to the Lady.
" Lady Ya..."
" Ja-zel." She said.
" Lady Ja-zel." He smiled again. " My daughter Arwen, who is of similar size to you, left behind several gowns when she went to stay with her grandparents. I know she would gladly gift them to the savior of her brother's life.
" My thanks to you...and to her." Ja-zel inclined her head.
" Then we shall return shortly. Would you like another plate of fresh meat to break your fast?." The Lord asked, as the thought that she might be hungry occurred to him.
" Whatever food is enjoyed by all here would be most appreciated. My diet can be much more varied when I am in this...form." She smiled, amusement lighting her eyes once again.
" In that case Elrond, you should have a tray delivered that will give her the full measure of elvish morning fare." Glorfindel returned the Lady's amused stare.
The two Lords bent to pick up their swords and the book, which Elrond carefully placed on a side table. At the doorway, he turned to look at Erestor's sleeping form.
" After we bring the gowns, we will leave you in peace until the evening meal. But then, Lady, we would hear all you have to say." Elrond told her politely, but firmly.
" And so you shall." She answered in kind.
TBC...