Well, here's the second installment in Jack's story. If you haven't read A
Girl Named Jack, I suggest you do that before you read this. Review and
show me the love.
"Ki" Talking
'Ki' Mental talking
--- change in settings or character POV
---------------------------
The starred sky flew by as Rinvil and I ran. We matched speed, jumping and dodging in perfect harmony.
It had been sixty-five years since the night that Joshua and I ran from Rivendell. And for the first time in those sixty-five years, I was returning. I was eighty-two now, and Joshua (wherever he is) was now eighty- three. Why I hadn't aged was still a mystery. I blamed it on the Valar. Every time I attempted to bring the subject up with them they just smiled. Next to me Rinvil let out a shout and double flipped over a log.
"Bloody show off!" I roared at him as we ran on. Rinvil had surprised us that night. When we had gotten to the stables he had been waiting. And he had come with us. We didn't ask why. But over the years it became clear to both Josh and I that he was running away too. We bonded deeply, the three of us, and eventually we shared with him our deepest bond and the three of us shared our blood. One week after the binding the tattoo appeared on Rinvil's forearm.
For the first five years of our running we wandered Middle-earth. We roamed through the lands of the men, stopping at the city of Bree and on to land of Rohirrim; Mirkwood, where I met King Thranduil and his son Legolas; To Lothlorien where I met the White Lord and Lady. We went to Lorien often, paying visits to Caleb. I had even seen the Shire, with its little hobbit folk. The rest we mainly spent with the rangers, Joshua's, Aragorn's people.
As time went on, Aragorn spent more and more time alone. It wasn't really too painful. I always had Rinvil with me and all I ever had to do was reach through our link and feel his presence. Josh had found out, just as I had, that we could not run from our demons. They followed us. Many nights I knew he dreamed of his conversation with Elrond, and I could see him torn in two. With me...well, with me, the gods wouldn't leave me alone.
I was now known as Jack Aldaron by the elves. I was given the title after I led the First Great Hunt. Orome called it my 'introduction' to the world. Elves from Grey Havens, Rivendell, Lothlorien and even as far as Mirkwood rode to join me on that hunt.
And so now I was known. The human with golden eyes that didn't age, the one who bears the mark of the Valar. Just as Orome wanted. I was a poster child for his will. And I hated every moment of it.
And now we were heading back to Rivendell. Josh called to us through the link. He wouldn't explain why, but we were to get to Rivendell as quickly as possible. So we left. For three weeks we traveled at top speed, sensing the urgency in his voice. We had chosen not to use horses, as the fact that the small group we were with could spare none. And now we ran, Rivendell being only two hours away.
With any hope we'd see Aragorn there.
Rinvil jerked to a stop.
"What is it?" I asked, stopping next to him.
"Elven archers." He answered, nodding towards the treetops. "Come on down, lads, we won't hurt you." There was a slight rustling and three sentries fell from the ground. I broke into a grin as one came closer, stepping into the moonlight.
"Hey, Elrohir. What's up?" Elrohir didn't smile. Rinvil sent me a questioning probe.
'What did we do?'
'Nothing. I don't know why he's being a stiff ass.' I sent back.
"It is good to see you again, Jack Aldaron." So we're using titles are we? "You left so quickly before." He turned to Rinvil. "And it is good to see you again, Rinvil. What is it that brings you back to Imladris after all these years?"
'Perhaps you broke his heart and he is still sore. Remember how infatuated he was with you before we left?' Rinvil sent over, his thoughts tinted with humor.
'Shut it, you loser. He was not infatuated with me.'
"Aragorn told us to come, so we have." Rinvil explained. Elrohir crossed his arms but couldn't hide the fact that his eyes softened at the mention of his younger brother.
"Aragorn is not at our home." Reaching up I tilted the hat visor up a bit. Yes, my hat still lived. Patched in a few places, but remarkably intact. Most of my other clothes had gone the way of the dinosaur unfortunately.
"Well, he will be, and we're going to be there to greet him." I told him firmly. He glared at me. "Wanna try and stop me?"
"No." Elrohir said stiffly, his grey eyes narrowing. "My father will wish to see you. Come." Then he twisted around and sent his cloak billowing dramatically. I shook my head. Elves.
'We could get a lot further if you weren't so rude to them.' Rinvil informed me as we walked along.
'Kiss my ass.'
'Alright.' He made a move towards me. I poked him with my glaive.
'Don't even think about it, elf-boy.'
"You're holding your glaive wrong." I straightened my pole and leaned on it.
"After sixty-five years apart that's the only thing you're going to say to me, Glorfindel? I'm holding my glaive wrong?" He chuckled and stepped forward. The moonlight struck his golden hair and made his silver eyes stand out even further.
"It is good to see you again, Jack." I felt a smile tug at my lips and let it go. He smiled back.
"It's been a while, Glory."
"I've seen you haven't forgotten that damn name."
"Never. Come here ya big idiot!" I held my arms out and we awkwardly embraced. I had missed the crazy dolt more than I realized. I pulled away and patted him on the head.
'Look at Elrohir.' Rinvil pointed out, his mental presence full of mirth. I looked over and stifled a groan. Elrohir was visibly upset that my greeting to Glorfindel was warmer then his. 'Maybe he's still-'
"Finish that thought, elf-boy, and your going down." Rinvil grinned as Glorfindel looked from me to him. He narrowed his silver eyes.
"You two didn't..."
"Oh, yeah, and Aragorn was in on it too." I answered, grinning as Glorfindel groaned and shook his head.
"Did you learn nothing from last time?"
"I am more then happy with what happened last time and what's happened now." I looped an arm around Rinvil's shoulders. "I just love this little elf-boy oh so much!" I squealed pinching his cheeks. Rinvil elbowed me and scooted away.
"Let us return to the House. Elrond is ecstatic about your return and is very much so looking forward to seeing you two again." Glorfindel informed, shooing everyone on in a very commanding graceful manner.
I chuckled at the idea of Glorfindel 'shooing' anyone. I took a deep breath and let the pine scent fill me. It felt good to be back.
--------------------------------
The Rangers- Other wise known as The Dunedain (with a diagonal dash tilted to the right over the u.). They are the last of a race of men who have rather extended lives.
Aldaron- Name given to Orome by the elves. It means 'lord of the trees'. Now it is Jack's surname.
----------------------------
Review!
"Ki" Talking
'Ki' Mental talking
--- change in settings or character POV
---------------------------
The starred sky flew by as Rinvil and I ran. We matched speed, jumping and dodging in perfect harmony.
It had been sixty-five years since the night that Joshua and I ran from Rivendell. And for the first time in those sixty-five years, I was returning. I was eighty-two now, and Joshua (wherever he is) was now eighty- three. Why I hadn't aged was still a mystery. I blamed it on the Valar. Every time I attempted to bring the subject up with them they just smiled. Next to me Rinvil let out a shout and double flipped over a log.
"Bloody show off!" I roared at him as we ran on. Rinvil had surprised us that night. When we had gotten to the stables he had been waiting. And he had come with us. We didn't ask why. But over the years it became clear to both Josh and I that he was running away too. We bonded deeply, the three of us, and eventually we shared with him our deepest bond and the three of us shared our blood. One week after the binding the tattoo appeared on Rinvil's forearm.
For the first five years of our running we wandered Middle-earth. We roamed through the lands of the men, stopping at the city of Bree and on to land of Rohirrim; Mirkwood, where I met King Thranduil and his son Legolas; To Lothlorien where I met the White Lord and Lady. We went to Lorien often, paying visits to Caleb. I had even seen the Shire, with its little hobbit folk. The rest we mainly spent with the rangers, Joshua's, Aragorn's people.
As time went on, Aragorn spent more and more time alone. It wasn't really too painful. I always had Rinvil with me and all I ever had to do was reach through our link and feel his presence. Josh had found out, just as I had, that we could not run from our demons. They followed us. Many nights I knew he dreamed of his conversation with Elrond, and I could see him torn in two. With me...well, with me, the gods wouldn't leave me alone.
I was now known as Jack Aldaron by the elves. I was given the title after I led the First Great Hunt. Orome called it my 'introduction' to the world. Elves from Grey Havens, Rivendell, Lothlorien and even as far as Mirkwood rode to join me on that hunt.
And so now I was known. The human with golden eyes that didn't age, the one who bears the mark of the Valar. Just as Orome wanted. I was a poster child for his will. And I hated every moment of it.
And now we were heading back to Rivendell. Josh called to us through the link. He wouldn't explain why, but we were to get to Rivendell as quickly as possible. So we left. For three weeks we traveled at top speed, sensing the urgency in his voice. We had chosen not to use horses, as the fact that the small group we were with could spare none. And now we ran, Rivendell being only two hours away.
With any hope we'd see Aragorn there.
Rinvil jerked to a stop.
"What is it?" I asked, stopping next to him.
"Elven archers." He answered, nodding towards the treetops. "Come on down, lads, we won't hurt you." There was a slight rustling and three sentries fell from the ground. I broke into a grin as one came closer, stepping into the moonlight.
"Hey, Elrohir. What's up?" Elrohir didn't smile. Rinvil sent me a questioning probe.
'What did we do?'
'Nothing. I don't know why he's being a stiff ass.' I sent back.
"It is good to see you again, Jack Aldaron." So we're using titles are we? "You left so quickly before." He turned to Rinvil. "And it is good to see you again, Rinvil. What is it that brings you back to Imladris after all these years?"
'Perhaps you broke his heart and he is still sore. Remember how infatuated he was with you before we left?' Rinvil sent over, his thoughts tinted with humor.
'Shut it, you loser. He was not infatuated with me.'
"Aragorn told us to come, so we have." Rinvil explained. Elrohir crossed his arms but couldn't hide the fact that his eyes softened at the mention of his younger brother.
"Aragorn is not at our home." Reaching up I tilted the hat visor up a bit. Yes, my hat still lived. Patched in a few places, but remarkably intact. Most of my other clothes had gone the way of the dinosaur unfortunately.
"Well, he will be, and we're going to be there to greet him." I told him firmly. He glared at me. "Wanna try and stop me?"
"No." Elrohir said stiffly, his grey eyes narrowing. "My father will wish to see you. Come." Then he twisted around and sent his cloak billowing dramatically. I shook my head. Elves.
'We could get a lot further if you weren't so rude to them.' Rinvil informed me as we walked along.
'Kiss my ass.'
'Alright.' He made a move towards me. I poked him with my glaive.
'Don't even think about it, elf-boy.'
"You're holding your glaive wrong." I straightened my pole and leaned on it.
"After sixty-five years apart that's the only thing you're going to say to me, Glorfindel? I'm holding my glaive wrong?" He chuckled and stepped forward. The moonlight struck his golden hair and made his silver eyes stand out even further.
"It is good to see you again, Jack." I felt a smile tug at my lips and let it go. He smiled back.
"It's been a while, Glory."
"I've seen you haven't forgotten that damn name."
"Never. Come here ya big idiot!" I held my arms out and we awkwardly embraced. I had missed the crazy dolt more than I realized. I pulled away and patted him on the head.
'Look at Elrohir.' Rinvil pointed out, his mental presence full of mirth. I looked over and stifled a groan. Elrohir was visibly upset that my greeting to Glorfindel was warmer then his. 'Maybe he's still-'
"Finish that thought, elf-boy, and your going down." Rinvil grinned as Glorfindel looked from me to him. He narrowed his silver eyes.
"You two didn't..."
"Oh, yeah, and Aragorn was in on it too." I answered, grinning as Glorfindel groaned and shook his head.
"Did you learn nothing from last time?"
"I am more then happy with what happened last time and what's happened now." I looped an arm around Rinvil's shoulders. "I just love this little elf-boy oh so much!" I squealed pinching his cheeks. Rinvil elbowed me and scooted away.
"Let us return to the House. Elrond is ecstatic about your return and is very much so looking forward to seeing you two again." Glorfindel informed, shooing everyone on in a very commanding graceful manner.
I chuckled at the idea of Glorfindel 'shooing' anyone. I took a deep breath and let the pine scent fill me. It felt good to be back.
--------------------------------
The Rangers- Other wise known as The Dunedain (with a diagonal dash tilted to the right over the u.). They are the last of a race of men who have rather extended lives.
Aldaron- Name given to Orome by the elves. It means 'lord of the trees'. Now it is Jack's surname.
----------------------------
Review!