To the readers who enjoyed my Breakfast Club story, I apologize. I know you guys were excited for a sequel but I am not as in love with John as I was when I wrote the story. Unfortunately, the sequel will be put on hold until I can find more inspiration. Feel free to give any feedback you deem necessary. In the mean time, please enjoy a story I've been day dreaming about for some time. I've always loved the Hobbit, and now I feel like I can put this tale into words. Enjoy, and as always, reviews are greatly appreciated.
Chapter One:
Mithrandir.
The memory of the grey cloaked Istari engulfed her. It had been ages since she had last saw, but every one of his features had been as familiar as yesterday. His ice blue eyes, his long grey hair and his wrinkled, sun kissed skin, time had not been kind to him, but she loved him still.
It was near dusk. The armies of men and elves had used every last bit of their resources to fight off the dark lord, Sauron. And finally, Isildur, prince of Gondor, brought down the evil being by cutting the ring of power from him. Though it did not show on her face, she watched the battle from a cliff anxiously, Mithrandir by her side.
"So it is done." He wore a hysteric smile without facing her.
"Sauron may be gone, but this is not over. The ring will only bring trouble." She scoffed back at him, her eyes never leaving Isildur.
"Yes…yes…" he sighed sadly before turning to her, "And that is why I have to leave you."
"What?" she spun around, shocked.
"Anju…" he spoke her name gently as he placed a hand on her cheek, "This war is bigger than us, and many things have to come to pass before we can live in peace again. I have many a part in this, and that is why I must leave. Even you will have a part in evil's end, but not for a long time."
"You promised me that we would always be together…you're all I have…" her voice was shaky as she looked back into his clear blue eyes.
"I'm sorry, my dearest love, for I fear I have lied to you. I knew all along that this day would come, but I wanted you by my side still. I was selfish. I will never expect you to forgive me, but I do want you to honor this parting by doing me one favor." He explained.
"How dare you?" she growled, anger now replacing her sorrow.
"Please, Anju, just promise me that you will survive. At least long enough to fulfil your destiny." he almost begged. She clicked her tongue in disgust.
"Sauron himself could barely mame me. I know not why you worry."
Mithrandir smiled at this.
"We will see each other again one day. Do not lose hope."
Before she could say another word, he pulled her into him and kissed her passionately. She melted into him, trying desperately to hold onto everything about him, but in a moment of a breath he was gone.
No, he would not come to save her. No one would. Though her mind was aching she was left with nothing but her wits and her bare hands. Bare hands that would barely do her any good. She didn't know what it was, but the guards forced her to drink something that prevented her from using her full power. That was the only reason she was still stuck.
"Curse those god damned elves!" she growled and kicked at the bars of her cell, "CURSE YOU THRANDUIL!"
Her voice echoed through the dungeon but no one answered. She huffed a black strand of hair out of her face as she crossed her arms. How was she going to get out of here?
Some time had passed, though she wasn't sure how much, and soon a group of guards appeared. All of them were tall, pale males, two blondes in golden armor and one brunette in a loose red tunic and tight black pants. The blondes stood dominant and proper, but the brunette swayed a little, clearly inebriated. The blonde on the left spoke first.
"The Lord will see you now." His tone was void of emotion.
"You can tell that fairy of a man that I'll pass." Anju stood and gripped the bars of her cell hatefully, her deep green eyes narrowing.
"I'm afraid you have no choice." The other blonde guard almost groaned, "Come on now."
The drunk elf moved forward to unlock the cell and Anju let out a primal growl before both armored guards wrestled her to the ground. She tried to fight back, but her strength was gone and her hands were quickly restrained behind her back before she could do much.
"Let's go!" one of the blondes spat.
And with that, they lifted her off the floor and dragged her out of the dungeon.
Thranduil, King of the Woodland Elves, looked almost like a dream. He was tall and pale and beautiful, as most elves were, but he carried an air about him that reeked of royalty and importance. He sat before her on his magnificent throne of branches, cloaked in silver robes with a leafy regal crown perched over his shimmering golden hair. His ocean blue eyes lit up when he saw her and he sat up straight.
"Truly, what a sight to see! The last wolf, in the flesh!" his voice was thick with exaggerated excitement.
"What is the reason for this?" she snapped.
"Now now, no need to get all riled up." He waved her off dramatically.
"Let me go!" she demanded and tried to free herself from the grasp of the guards, but they held on tight. Thranduil chuckled, amused by her fire.
"I'm afraid I can't do that. I won't allow you to get in my way."
"Get in the way of what?" she barked.
Thranduil flew down from his throne and got inches away from her face, clearly about to lose it, but Anju didn't flinch. She inched closer to him, their noses almost touching, and bared her fangs.
"Do not act like you do not know!" he howled.
"I really don't." she shrugged casually, dismissing all his emotions. He backed away a little, suspicious.
"You expect me to believe that after all that time you spent with the wizard that he told you nothing of the prophecy?" he asked. She shook her head.
"Can't say it's ever come up in conversation."
Thranduil took a moment to mull things over.
"Very well. Still, you cannot leave. Weather you know it or not, your actions are inevitable and will only lead to my loss. I need my gems returned to me."
"Gems?" she rose her eyebrow curiously.
"White gems of pure starlight, passed down through my family for generations. They were stolen by dwarves-"
"Dwarves?" she laughed, interrupting him.
"Enough!" he snapped, "It matters not! All that matters is that you're staying here! All you need to concern yourself with is whether you want to stay her comfortably or remain a prisoner."
"What are you offering?" she asked, unimpressed.
"Legolas!" he called loudly.
In the blink of an eye, a green clad elf with golden hair and sapphire eyes appeared. He was young, but he was the spitting image of Thranduil. Legolas looked to her curiously, and when their eyes met she felt a small spark between them. Thranduil chuckled as he noticed this.
"So you like him?"
"I am fond of no elf." She glared at him.
"So you wouldn't enjoy being his bride?" Thranduil asked. Legolas looked away in embarrassment.
"Get to the point." She clicked her tongue, growing impatient.
"Legolas is my only son, heir to the Woodland Realm. Finding a suitable wife for him has proven to be quite difficult, but with your blood you would be the perfect suitor." He explained.
"Are you insane?" she hissed.
"Either you marry my son and live a life of luxury here or you rot in a cell. Your choice." His voice was a harsh whisper. Legolas looked to her, pleading, though she wasn't sure for what.
"I'll rot, thank you." She growled. Thranduil was shocked, but she stopped him before he could speak, "Allow me, your highness. Guards, take me away!"
Thranduil groaned in frustration, and with a wave of his hand he dismissed the guards. They dragged her back down into the dungeons without a fight.
"You're a fool you know." The guard said before he tossed her back into the cell.
"Foolish is the one who marries without love." She shrugged and turned her back to him. He rolled his eyes before turning to the inebriated elf.
"Lock her up." He ordered before leaving with the other blonde guard.
Anju saw an opportunity as the elf fumbled with the keys. Quietly, she nudged her foot into the cell door, moving it just enough so that he couldn't lock it, but the door would still look closed. The elf finally found the key and "locked" the door before turning to leave. Chuckling to herself, she waited for him to be completely out of sight before she slowly pushed the door open.
"Idiots." She mumbled.
Quiet as a mouse, she tiptoed throughout the corridors and tried to make sense of the maze before her. Every now and then she would spot a wandering elf, and she would have to turn back around to find a new path. It was mind numbing, but she couldn't give up. Finally, after what seemed like hours, she managed to find the giant, intricately carved front doors. Below her, two guards lay asleep. She braced herself to ambush them from above, but before she could leap she felt a hand grab her shoulder.
"Wait!"
She turned around swiftly only to see Legolas crouched next to her, and exasperated look on his porcelain like face.
"I was trying to free you, but it looks like you didn't need any help." He let out a small laugh.
"Why would you do that?" she raised her eyebrow.
"You're in love." he said as if it were obvious. When she didn't answer, he smiled. "It's all over your face. I know that look too well, for I too am in love. I'm glad you refused the proposal."
"No problem…" she groaned, almost offended. He put his hands up in protest.
"Not that you're not beautiful or interesting!" he quickly tried to back track, "It's just… both our hearts belong to others. It wouldn't be right."
She smiled and placed a hand on his cheek.
"You're right."
A moment of silence and understanding passed between them. In another life, they might have been perfect for each other, but in this life, they were destined to part ways.
"Right." Legolas suddenly said and looked down to the guards, "Time to get you out of here."
He maneuvered his way down to the guards and clapped his hands loudly.
"Hey…HEY!" he shouted.
The guards shot up from slumber and immediately fell to their knees once they realized it was Legolas.
"We're sorry M'Lord!" one cried.
"The night guards never came to relieve us. We've been up since before dawn!" the other whined.
"Leave, now! I'll take care of this." He ordered. They nodded and ran away as fast as they could. He then motioned for Anju to come down.
She leapt from the ledge gracefully and landed in his arms. He set her down gently.
"I guess this is farewell." He sighed.
"Thank you." She nodded and turned to leave.
"Oh wait, one more thing!" he held out his arm to stop her and she turned back around, "My father had the guards poison you with blood from a Mirkwood spider. That's why you can't use your powers, but I made you this. It's petals from a Mirkwood rose baked into bread. It will give you your powers back."
He grabbed her hand and placed the bread in her palm. She smiled as she accepted it.
"Lucky is the she-elf who is loved by you."
She leaned forward and gently planted a kiss on his lips in thanks. The prince blushed.
"Run now, you haven't much time." He smiled sheepishly.
"Farewell Woodland prince, I won't forget you!" she called to him as she dashed away.
As she ran, she inhaled the bread, and within moments she felt her strength return to her. She resisted the urge to howl with excitement, for although she had escaped it wouldn't take Thranduil long to realize she was gone. She needed to plan, fast, and get as far away from him as she could.