Luineraugwen: This is probably going to be a short story but the chapters might be long. I'm also thinking about a sequel to it as well. I hope you enjoy. Also this is before Celebrian sailed into the West so she's in here somewhere.
Disclaimer: I don't own Lotr or any of the characters or the song included in this chapter. I don't own Mulan either.
Alexis sat quietly on a bench in the garden reading. In the past year she had been in Rivendell, she had learnt a little bit of elvish, courtesy of Elladan. The reading of elvish script was just to keep her memorizing the words she already knew, although she wished she knew all of what was written.
Elladan had often spent hours upon hours with her in either the library or Alexis's chambers. Their friendship had grown over the past months, as had her ties with his twin. Elladan and her spoke of many things. The lord talked about Middle Earth, the different races, mainly the elves and their origins. Alexis didn't mind and in return she told him about her world called Earth.
It was true; she didn't hail from Middle Earth. She had been walking through a forest when five elves dropped down from the trees, bows drawn. Luckily Elrohir had been their leader and had decided to bring her to his father. Lord Elrond had liked her straight away and for her the feeling was mutual. It wasn't before long that she though of Elrond as a surrogate father and she treated his children as her siblings. Thankfully they began to think of Alexis as a younger sister and she liked it like that.
"Auntie Alex!" a high pitched voice squealed. Alexis looked up to see her niece Candace running towards her while Elrond walked behind the four-year-old. Candace was Alexis's only living relative left. She was her niece's guardian. Candace had been with her the day she came to Middle Earth. The youth had been ecstatic when she found the elves, or rather they found her, and asked them hundreds of questions. The first being ' Do elves really make toys?' That had gotten a laugh out of our captors. Ever since then she seemed to brighten up the place with her curiosity and laughter. It wasn't until the two were standing in front of Alexis that she realised that Candace was actually pulling the elf lord along behind her.
"Good morning milord. Candace, why are you dragging Lord Elrond behind you?" Alexis said greeting the elf warmly then hugged her niece.
"Good morning to you to Alexis. I asked Candace if she knew where I could find you and she decided to show me instead. It was no trouble" Elrond replied fondly and then turned to look towards the way they'd just come to see several elflings coming down the path.
"Candace, we've been looking for you. We're going to play hide and seek. Do you want to join us?" an excited she elf asked. Alexis nodded and the little girl ran off to play with her friends.
"So what was it you wanted to speak to me about, Lord Elrond?" Alexis asked as the elf sat down next to her.
"Most of Rivendell is aware that Candace's birthday is coming up and we have agreed to have a party for her. Is that okay?" Elrond replied and the young woman beamed.
"Of course I agreed milord. I think Candace would love it. She loves parties" Alexis answered and the elf smiled.
"I realize that the world you hail from is much different that ours so I would like you to assist in the preparation. We wish to make it a party that she'll never forget " Elrond said grabbing Alexis's hands in his as he rose to his feet, taking her with him. "Come, we have much to organize".
A few days later all the preparations were ready for Candace's birthday. Sweets had been made and on the day of her birthday, the dinning hall was redecorated but the little girl wasn't told why. The party was a surprise. Throughout most of the whole day, Candace was made to believe that it was an ordinary day in Rivendell. Alexis was the only one who wished her happy birthday until dinnertime. Before dinner, when Alexis and Candace were getting dressed, the young woman gave the child her present.
"I'm sorry that I didn't give it to you sooner bit I only got it back from the dressmakers today. Now you can show it off at dinner" Alexis said happily. She had a special dress made for the child. It was a beautiful, made of bright pink velvet with flowing sleeves in the elvish fashion and pink slippers to match.
"You should leave your hair out" Alexis added and unbraided Candace's golden hair. "Now you look like a little angel". Truly she did. Before now the child had been sad and upset that no one knew it was her birthday but all that had disappeared now.
A maid came in to help Alexis with her long hair. It was braided and then circled around her head. She then looked at herself in the mirror. She was wearing a velvet dress with flowing sleeves, just like her niece, but Alexis's dress was purple and high-necked.
"Come Candace, we don't want to be late" she said ushering the birthday girl out of the room and towards the dinning hall. It had taken her days to memorize the way to the hall but now it was firmly implanted in her memory.
As soon as they opened the door, hundreds of cries reached their ears. Many elves applauded while other yelled out 'happy birthday' and phrases of the likes. Elrond and several other elves including members of his council and family approached Candace and embraced the child, blessing her at the same time. Alexis stood back a bit and let hr niece enjoy the attention she was receiving.
"You have done a fine job of preparing for the party," Arwen said coming to stand next to her for a few minutes before being whisked away.
"My sister speaks the truth lirimaerlovely one. Why are you standing alone and not with your niece?" Elladan asked surprising Alexis from behind the wrapping his arms around her middle. She had lied when she said their relationship was only one of friendship. In the past few months their friendship had deepened into something more although not much had become of it.
"She needs to enjoy herself because you only turn five once. Tonight it her night and I won't take it away from her" Alexis replied leaning back on the elf.
"Come, join me for a walk. Dinner won't be served for a while and I'm positive we won't be missed" Elladan whispered and led her towards the door. They made one final glance around the room before silently slipping out but their departure didn't go unnoticed. Elrond watched them leave and he turned around to smile knowingly with his wife. Both had noticed the change in the two over the past few months and they had an idea of what the future would hold for them.
Elladan led Alexis out into one of the many gardens. The moon and stars shone brightly above them, lighting their path.
"You look extremely beautiful tonight, Alexis" Elladan commented as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders, hugging her against his body as they walked along. To her it was quite comfortable and besides, the cool night air was slowly seeping through the material of her dress.
"And you look as handsome as ever, Elladan" Alexis whispered, closed her eyes and breathed in deeply. Elladan smelt strongly of sandalwood with a dash of mysticism. Alexis respected Elladan, as well as all the other people living in Rivendell, but something about him made her revere him even more. She had been told about Lady Galadriel and her gifts of telepathy and her mind reading abilities. That kind of thing amazed her but sometimes she believed that Elladan possessed the same power. Every now and then he would look her straight in the eyes and say almost exactly what she was thinking. It didn't frighten her but it did make her uncomfortable.
"The stars are bright tonight" Elladan said surprising Alexis again. The elves loved the heavens and from what she had leant back home; she'd been able to extend their knowledge of astronomy. Every now and then she was even helpful to Lord Elrond. Anatomy and first aid had been something Alexis had been studying just before she came to Middle Earth.
"We'd best get back soon, everyone may notice we've disappeared" he added steering Alexis back towards the party. Alexis decided that dinner and dancing would be held in the dinning hall then they would move onto the Hall of Fire for songs and stories.
The two slipped back quietly into the hall just as dinner was about to be served. Candace and Alexis took their seats at the high table along with Elrond, his family and advisers.
"Tonight we celebrate Candace's fifth birthday. May this night be filled with cheer, well wishes and happiness. Let the party begin!" Elrond announced and cheers went up when he'd finished. Servants layed out plates of food on the tables and everyone began to eat, making polite conversation every so often.
Dinner lasted close to an hour and a half. Alexis had spent most of her time talking to Lady Celebrian and her sons. Estel was also there, talking to members of Elrond's council and an elf that she didn't recognise. The plates were taken away and the tables moved to the side. It was time to dance.
Elvish couples gracefully walked out onto the floor and formed a circle. The musicians then stuck up a song. The beat was quite quick but the dancers knew the steps well. They spun and twirled the skirts of the women's dresses flaring out. The song finished and the dancers bowed to their partners and a new song started but this one was slower.
"Lady Candace, would you care to dance with me?" an elfling boy by the name of Vartalathion asked. The little girl looked at Alexis for help.
"it is rude to say 'no' to someone who asks you to dance with them" she advised and Candace turned back to the elfling and agreed. Alexis watched the two walk onto the floor and begin to dance.
"You advise Candace well but you don't look old enough to be her mother". Alexis jumped slightly and turned in her seat to see the unknown elf standing behind her.
"Oh hello. Your right, I'm not Candace's mother, I'm her aunt" Alexis replied.
"Would you like to dance?" he asked. The song had changed again but this time it was a cross between the first and the second song. It wasn't fast or slow.
"Well I've got to listen to my own advice, so of course I will" she answered. The elf offered her his hand and she took it and they walked out to the floor.
"I don't' think we've had the pleasure of and introduction. Do you always dance with people you don't know?" he asked and Alexis laughed.
"Yes, you're quite right, we haven't been introduced yet and no, dancing with strangers isn't habit of mine. I'm Alexis" she replied.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Alexis. I am Legolas, prince of Mirkwood, an elvish realm on the other side of the Misty Mountains. If you don't mind me asking, what does your name mean?" Legolas asked as they spun around.
"It's a shortened version of Alexandra, which is my full name, but it just means 'helper and defender of mankind'" Alexis replied and the elf smiled.
"Yes, that is an excellent name for someone like yourself but I wonder, do you know how to fight?"
"Aye I do. I learnt martial arts, hand to hand combat if you will, back home and not too long ago, the twins started my training again. I'm glad about that since embroidery isn't my favourite past time" Alexis said. She spotted Elladan standing against the wall looking slightly pissed off and she giggled. Legolas look over his shoulder in the same direction and spotted the twin standing there.
"It seems as though Lord Elladan is getting jealous but before I hand you over to him, I must ask, why would a woman need to know 'martial arts' back where you come from?" Alexis smiled as the new word rolled off his tongue.
"Martial arts is a form of self defence. Some of the men from my home aren't that nice to women so some learn self defence to they can defend themselves. I've never had to use it, except in tournament sparring, but it was a very good way to stay healthy. Ah, we have company" Alexis replied then she saw Elladan begin his journey through the crowd to them. As soon as he reached them, she said something to Legolas in elvish but she couldn't understand it.
"Forgive me old friend" the Prince replied and then bowed to Alexis. "Thank you for that lovely dance, Alexis. Now I think I shall speak with lord Elrond".
"No, thank you Prince Legolas" she answered bowing to him.
"No Alexis, just call me Legolas. No titles are needed amongst friends" Legolas kissed the back of her hand and went on his way.
'Enjoy the last dance did you, Alexis?" Elladan said somewhat coldly behind her. She turned to look at him. His eyes had darkened slightly, a sure sign that he was angry, and his face was set. "Come, I need to speak with you". He grabbed her wrist and began to lead her outside onto a balcony and then down the stairs, not caring who saw them.
"Elladan, what is wrong?" she asked as they walked but he didn't answer her and Alexis began to worry. He'd never ignored her questions before and she began to wonder just how angry he was with her. Legolas had asked her to dance not the other way around.
"Don't worry, I have no problem with, it's Legolas. We've been friends for many years and we have a close bond. It's just that almost every elf maiden that I loved, as soon as I introduced them to Legolas, they fell in love with him. Even though he never returned their feelings, it broke the relationship between the maiden and myself and I was felt alone again. So, you see, even though you're not an elf, I'm just making sure that you don't get too attracted to the Prince" Elladan replied and he stopped walking, turning to look at her.
"Fear not Elladan, I doubt anything will happen between Legolas and I. I am happy will who I'm with now" Alexis said. All of a sudden she felt brave and she kissed him gently on the cheek. Elladan looked at her, staring straight into Alexis's eyes and leant in closer. His arms snaked around her waist, pulling her nearer until his lips met hers. They were warm, soft and delicate. Alexis made a noise in the back of her throat. Thinking that he may have done something wrong, he broke away from her.
'I'm sorry, it seems I have done something too forward" Elladan apologised but the young woman shook her head.
"No Elladan you did nothing wrong" she replied. A song played only by a pan flute found it's way to the two as they stood in the moonlight. The stars shone sliver in the night sky and the serene atmosphere of the garden around them enhanced the beauty of the song.
"Elladan, come dance with me!" Alexis cried happily, grabbing his hands and leading him deeper into the garden. She gasped in wonder as Elladan glowed brighter and he bathed the small clearing in his light. He looked just like an angel. Alexis wrapped her arms around his neck while his wrapped around her waist. Alexis's body was pressed up against the elf's but she didn't mind and he didn't seem to either. Their bodies moved slowly to the beat in a small circle, oblivious to the world around them. Which is why they failed to see Elrond and Celebrian standing out on the balcony watching them.
"I believe Alexis's love for out son will not falter, despite any efforts and temptation from other suitors. She even turned Prince Legolas down. From what she's already shown us, I believe that Alexis will stay faithful to one man and only one man until the relationship is over" Celebrian said quietly being careful not to be overheard.
"Yes your quite right melaminmy love but Alexis doesn't possess immortality and if their relationship is to advance further into one of marriage and family then that may pose a problem. You know that grief can easily destroy the life of a mortal just the same way as it can an immortal. We will lose both of them if it continues " Elrond replied holding his wife around the waist.
"But Elrond, they look so beautiful together. It was meant to be, even if an early death is their fate. Elladan had lived a long life without a partner so perhaps he will be happy to live a mortal life with Alexis. If they are to live life properly let them live it together, the way they want to. Mortality or immortality…it's their choice" Celebrian answered wisely and her husband sighed.
"But Elladan has the gift of immortality. He should live a full life and sail to the West when his time has come. If her marries Alexis we will lose him" Elrond protested.
"Elrond, try to understand, we will lose Elladan anyway, even if he does sail to the west with us. He will grieve for Alexis and he will eventually fade away to nothing. Elladan lover her, you know that, so let him choose his path. We can't protect out children forever melaminmy love, we must let go sometime. Let him live the way he wants. We would miss him greatly but at least we would know it was his decision, just like Elros" the Lady said calmly. Elrond looked at her, his eyes darkening like an ocean storm.
"That is exactly why I want to keep Elladan with us. You know the pain I felt when Elros choose a mortal life and how lost I felt when he died. If it wasn't for you I'd had never made it through. Imagine what Elrohir would feel if Elladan died. I've been through everything with my twin, I know the strength of the bond they share, having experienced it. I wouldn't wish that pain on anyone, especially my son. Even though I like Alexis, I won't let her inflict that pain on Elladan" Elrond hissed slightly and his wife was taken aback. He had never spoken like that before. "I'm sorry lirimaerloverly one, I'm only worried about Elladan's well being" he added rubbing his temples.
"So am I" Celebrian answered. The husband and wife rarely argued but it was usually about family issues. "As parents we want what is best for our children, all parents do but sometimes parents need to let go and let the children learn things for themselves. We can't always protect them forever, just like I said. Let Elladan choose. We shouldn't choose for him".
"It is nearly time to go to the Hall of Fire. We'll discuss this with Elladan later" Elrond said ending the conversation and leading his wife back into the hall to dance. Unknown to them, Elladan had been listening to his parent's conversation, unintentionally of course but he kept what he'd heard to himself. In full truth, he was a little confused about how he felt about Alexis and what his parents had just said put a serious strain on his decision.
"I think we should go back, it's almost time to go to the Hall of Fire' Elladan said echoing his father's last sentence and led Alexis back to the hall, his arm still wrapped around her waist. They walked back into the room just as Lord Elrond was announcing that they were to go to the Hall of Fire to finish the night off. Couples followed the Lord and lady of Imladris as they walked proudly through the hallways until they reached their destination. The heavy doors opened to reveal the large room lit with a beautiful orange glow from the fire that burned continuously. Many elves gracefully sat down on cushions while Elrond and Celebrian took their places on their thrones. Alexis sat next to Elladan and Candace sat on Elrohir's lap. Candace loved Elrohir. She said he was more playful and funnier than his twin was but Candace didn't know that the two brothers took turns spending time with the child.
"Now, the rest of the evening will be spent singing and story telling. Does anyone want to volunteer to sing first?" Elrond asked smiling as he looked around the hall.
"Auntie Alex had a nice voice" Candace piped up and Alexis immediately went red. Candace was telling the truth, she could sing quite well but Alexis was shy and she didn't like singing in front of a large group of people.
"Yes I do believe that is a good idea, Candace. I've heard Alexis sing before but that was a while ago and I wish I could hear it again" Elladan said siding with her niece. The young woman gave in and stood up.
"And what request does the birthday girl have?" Alexis asked politely and Candace sat up straight and beamed.
"My favourite please"
"Okay, your favourite it is…if I can remember the words" Alexis teased and then finally she remembered them. How could she have forgotten them? This song wasn't only Candace's fave but it was Alexis's too. She'd sung it as her niece's lullaby for years.
"Anol shalom
Anol sheh lay konnud de ne um (shaddai)
Flavum
Nom de leesh
Ham de mam um das
La um de
Flavne…
We de ze zu bu
We de sooo a ru
Un va-a pesh a lay
Un vi-I bee
Un di la pech ni sa
(Aaahh)
Un di-I lay na day
Un ma la pech a nay
Mee di nu ku
La la da pa da le na da na
Ve va da pa da le na la dumda (x4)
Anol shalom
Anol sheh ley kon-nud de ne um.
Flavum.
Flavum.
M-ai shondol-lee
Flavu…(Live on…)
Lof flesh lay
Nof ne
Nom de lis
Ham de num um dass
La um de
Flavne…
Flay
Shom de nomm
Ma-lun des
Dwondi.
Dwwoondi
Alas sharum du koos
Shaley koot-tum."
As soon as Alexis had finished everyone applauded, even the Lord and Lady. She bowed courteously then took her place back on the cushion next to Elladan and her niece.
"That was beautiful, Alexis. I didn't know you could sing that well" Elrohir commented and his twin echoed what he said.
"Thanks you two" she replied and the whole room quietened down as Elrond stood up and begun to sing as well as play a golden harp.
"Snow-white! Snow-white! O Lady clear!
O Queen beyond the Western Seas!
O light to us that wander here
Amid the world of woven trees!
Githoniel! O Elbereth!
Clear are thy eyes and bright thy breath,
Snow-white! Snow-white! We sing to thee
In a far land beyond the Sea.
O stars that in the Sunless Year
With shinning hand by her were sown,
In windy fields now bright and clear
We see your silver blossom blown!
O Elbereth! Githoniel
We still remember, we who dwell
In this far land beneath the trees,
Thy starlight on the Western Seas."
The Lord's voice was proud, strong and rich. He played the harp extremely well and the beautiful sound filled the entire room. When he'd finished everyone clapped just like they had for Alexis but it was still a little louder. He was the Lord of Rivendell. After Elrond many other elves got up and sung. Alexis loved it when elves sung, their voices were clear and heavenly. She was no match for them.
Later came the stories. Elladan got up and told one about an elf lord by the name of Gil-galad. Celebrian then told one about an elf maiden called Nimrodel. Elladan had told Alexis that one before but she never tired of it.
"Candace, why don't you tell a story" Alexis said and the girl smiled.
"What one should I tell?" she asked excitedly.
"Your favourite. It's your birthday after all" Alexis replied.
"Okay" she answered and once of the elves was finished, Candace stood up and began to tell her story. It was Mulan. The Tale of a girl who pretended to be a boy to join the army so her elderly father didn't have to. She told the story quite well and everyone listened intensely to her words. The applauded and cheered when she'd finished and some even asked to hear it again bit Candace stifled a small yawn and politely refused, saying that she'd tell the tale again some other time.
"It's way past her bed time but it's her birthday so it can be forgiven" Alexis said quietly as Candace settled herself in Elrohir's lap again. More elves continued to sing and Alexis watched as Candace drifted off to sleep, her little hands clutching Elrohir's tunic.
"It seems out special little girl has fallen asleep" Elrond said from his throne. Suddenly Candace coughed loudly in her sleep. It was a rattling, loud, sick cough and Alexis was immediately kneeling in front of Elrohir checking her temperature. She was hot and Alexis began to worry that a fever may be setting in and she soon found out that it was. But where had it come from?
"I'd best get hr back to her room before she gets worse" Alexis said just as Elrond came o stand behind her. She picked up the child in her arms and began to carry her out of the room, Lord Elrond following her.
"Even though elves don't get sick, I may have something that may help her" Elrond said after Candace coughed again. Alexis had nursed Candace through the Measles, Chicken Pox and many colds but none of those coughs compared to the ones that Candace had now and that scared the young woman because she didn't know what she was dealing with.
"Well you might want to come with me for a while. You're a healer so you may spot symptoms of an illness that I know nothing about" Alexis said, her voice shaking. She felt the elf put a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"Don't worry Alexis, she'll be fine" Elrond said calmly and she nodded. She only half believed his word. Why, she didn't know. Alexis had always believed that she wasn't a good enough to be a parent. Sure, she'd been able to send Candace to school, buy he uniform and all the things she needed but Alexis lived alone with Candace and the late teenager still went to school and so they would have enough money for food, clothes, the usual necessities and the rent, Alexis worked in the afternoons and weekends at a local office. She typed up all the important letters that were sent out to clients.
As soon as they reached Candace's room, which was adjoined to Alexis's, the young woman laid the girl down on the bed and preceded to undress her while Lord Elrond started looking the child over.
"Alexis please get a cloth and a bowl of cold water. Her temperature is rising rapidly and we must get it down" Elrond said and Alexis disappeared into the bathroom and returned with the things he requested. Alexis immediately placed the cloth in the water, rung it out and put it on the child's forehead.
"I've got some herbs in my stock that should help bring her fever down quicker. I'll be back soon" Elrond said heading towards the door and then leaving. Candles and a well-placed lantern above the bed were the only sources of light in the room and they played games with the features of Candace's face. Suddenly the little girl began to whimper and writher as though she was in agony and Alexis wondered just what was she dreaming about. Alexis placed the bowl on the bedside table before climbing behind the child and hold her in her arms, the cloth still firmly stationed on Candace's forehead. As soon as she was comfortable, Alexis began to sing Candace's favourite song, the same one she'd sung in the Hall of Fire.
"Aunty Alex" Candace said weakly, surprising Alexis when she was nearing the end of the song.
"What's up sweetie?" she asked.
"Could I have a drink of water please" Candace replied and Alexis nodded.
"Of course my little angel" Alexis answered kissing the child's cheek and carefully climbing out from behind her and walking to the bathroom. Luckily there was a cup sitting on the sink. Alexis filled it with water before making her way back into the room. The sight that greeted her made Alexis's blood run cold like water from the Atlantic Ocean.
The cup of water slipped from Alexis's hand and smashed on the floor. Candace was sitting up in bed, her blue eyes wide in an unseen horror but that wasn't what frightened her the most. A large gash had been cut through the child's throat and red blood had spilled out and it completely covered the whole front of the child and most of the blanket around her. Alexis nearly died on the spot but before she passed out, her last coherent thought was that this image would haunt both her waking and sleeping hours for the rest of her life.
Elrond found Alexis where she'd fallen, right in the doorway between the bathroom and the bedchamber. She was unconscious and no matter what he tried, she didn't stir. It was obvious why she'd passed out. Candace still sat in the same way and manner of which Alexis found her. Even with the Lord's extensive battle experience, the sight of the lifeless child was enough to turn even his stomach. The only thing he was left to wonder was who the hell would do that to Candace? And sadly, the only suspect and person anywhere near her had been Alexis, her aunt, her own flesh and blood. But was Alexis capable of committing such a disgusting and brutal murder?
Luineraugwen: Go ahead and call me a mean bitch, I dare you!!!!! But the only way to make the rest of the ideas go with the story, I had to kill off Candace. Why the long chapter and not shorter ones? Well I decided to have this entire thing in one chapter instead of several. Also I wanted to make people like Candace so then when she died, they would want to red on to find out who did it. Did it work? Also who anyone like to take a stab at what song that was that Alexis sung. Feel free to. I'm not sure when the next chapter will be up, I'm trying to back them long.