Summary: Skin Changers are rare even in Middle Earth and Tolkien states their existence is far and few between. When one is found and introduced to the traveling troop of 4 hobbits and a ranger. Her introduction into Middle earth will spur a remarkable connection between Luthien and a certain fair hair elf named Legolas. Adventure and romance await her as the ring torments her with her Earthly past. What will she discover by traveling with the fellowship and its quest to destroy the one ring? Legolas/OC
A/N Hello All! This story was created in part because I have recently gone back to my fan girl roots. I guess age doesn't really matter when then characters you love are fiction. At any rate this story reaches back to my teen years and I hope you all enjoy it. The writing is certainly better then what I posted here in 2005. Those stories were horrendous. But I digress, please enjoy my story and review.
Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Lord of The Rings. Its all Tolkien.
Chapter One:
A Strange Meeting
"Lady? My Lady?" A voice asked me. I felt my limbs barely reaching up to try and trust the dark cave of my vision. There was nothing, only air in my hands, until-
" My Lady? " I asked again. My own voice I could not recognize and I heard it's echo return to my ears different then I had heard at first. It wasn't my voice I finally realized it was a man's.
" You speak yet your eyes are not open? Are you blind?" a man asked. I tilted my head.
" Blind? " I said more so to myself then to whoever had suggested it. I began the unnatural feeling of opening my eyes, as if I had been asleep my whole life wandering aimlessly. Crusty, and pale air smothered them and I felt my eyes water from the flame held to my face.
" My Lady? Are you well?" Asked a man. He was hooded, cloaked in a pale ash with greasy black hair hanging around his face.
I all but stared in wonderment at him; behind him a stone troll hovering like an unvanquished foe. White flowers with short green stems leaked out of pockets in the rock crowning the man in an unnatural moonlit glow.
" How can this be?" I whispered I grabbed a handful of moss beneath my hands and realized I was nearly nude, wearing nothing but mud and autumn leaves for comfort. I looked to my left and could see the bare remnants of what looked like a backpack. Suddenly I was filled with shame, my eyes felt heavy again. My memory a cloudy mountain sitting alone amidst a vast plane-
" The Lonely Mountain" I said without thinking and sudden I felt ease come back to my body, as if my skin were resting from panic, as if the panic alone could trigger something deep in me. I was beyond confused, what had happened.
" I am Strider, a ranger from the North. I was tracking a bear when I came upon you. I mean no harm." Said the man. He had a gentle face, as the flame licked his chin.
" Strider" I said testing my voice. " I am Lucia. I do not know exact how I came here only you say you were tracking a bear?"
I laughed without thought as suddenly my memory felt less stiff.
" You were tracking me I'm afraid. I was the bear you were seeking!" I laughed again at the thought. My memory was flooded with pain, horror and I frowned, I felt uneasy again we were far from safe in this place I had been running for someone. I had wanted to reach Gandalf.
"You are a skin- changer? Like the Great Bear? I have only heard legend of your kin. It is a great honor Lady Lucia." Said Strider he bowed and I laughed.
" There is no need to bow to me Strider for I know who you are, I can smell it Aragorn. Your blood has riddled much of history."
Aragorn looked at me in surprise but smiled we had gained each other's trust in that moment. We were even.
" It seems you are regaining your strength far quicker then I had expected." Said Aragorn.
I smiled this Ranger, he was unlike any other I had meant, his quick wit would prove to be welcomed company. But why had I changed back I wondered, I would need to make a trip to Beorn at some point. As I attempted to stand I felt my knees buckle and slip back onto the moss. Aragorn held his hand out and slowly I felt my body lift.
" It seems there is something dark at work here, Aragorn. It is not natural for my skin to shift without my consent." I smiled a little at him his awkwardness to my naked form amused me. He gently sat me down on a nearby log.
" I have spare clothes in that bag other there" I pointed to the green pile of muddy fabric. He threw it to me. I dressed quickly, my legs beginning to regain their strength. Clearly the abrupt change back had sapped me of my energy.
" My traveling companions are not far from here, they will no doubt be worried of my absence." Said Aragorn.
" Companions?" I asked gently testing my legs by walking to him.
He smiled lightly. " Yes we are heading to Rivendell. They are four- three hobbits."
" Four?" I asked
" Three now, one has ridden ahead, he was injured on our journey."
We began to walk back to Aragorn's companions in silence. I became aware of the heaviness that was present in the woods. I struggled to remember what had happened before Aragorn had found me. I could not recall a thing. I could only remember running as a bear fast with purpose. I could not remember where I had come from or why I had shifted in the first place. It puzzled me to no end and I felt my skin rippled as I walked. Something had certainly happened. I could sense it.
" Aragorn, did you find anything with me besides my bag of things?" I asked
" No, but your body had signs of battle as if you had fought with something though I do not know what. But they healed fast."
" It irks me because I have no memory of my purpose here. Nothing as to why I had shifted, no memory even of the past months. I can only remember a few aspects of my life. I remember Beorn and that he is The Great Bear, I remembered you, but only by scent alone, I remember history and people and place but nothing of my life." I said quietly.
" Perhaps Lord Elrond will be able to enlighten you?" he asked.
" Perhaps." I said.
As we reached camp three hobbits huddled around a bright fire. They were eating strips of bacon.
"Strider! We didn't know how long you'd be gone and we figured you wouldn't mind if we started without you soooo Who is that?" asked one small hobbit with light curly hair.
" I am Lucia a friend of Strider." I said stiffly I felt unsure of them.
" WELL lady Lucia I am Pippin and this is Merry and this here is Sam and I would like to be the first to say that you are by far the most beautiful creature to have ever roamed this earth." Said Pippin with a large smile.
I smiled wide. I trusted them immediately.
" Well Pippin you are by far the most wonderful hobbit I've had the pleasure to meet. Your friends no doubt are also quite as wonderful I'd imagine."
Sam and Merry blushed furiously. I laughed they reminded me of something. As I sat down beside them Aragorn quickly ate his portion of bacon while brewing a cup of leaves.
" If only I had my loose-leaf strainer." I said out loud.
" Strainer?" asked Aragorn
" Yes, a mesh net made out of stainless steel? You know you use it to steep loose leaf tea?"
" Strange I have never heard of such an instrument. You say it is made out of stainless steel?"
" Yes, stainless steel a type of metal."
" Hmm quite interesting" Said Aragorn. He shrugged and unrolled his bed.
I was certainly perplexed now. I had memory of things Aragorn had never heard of. I could remember strainers, tea kettles and ovens. I recalled mugs, pottery wheels powered by electricity and tvs. I was deep in thought trying to organize my thoughts when Pippin gently nudged me.
"Strider asked you if you had a bedroll Lucia."
I looked over to Aragorn.
" Yes, I do. No worries." I answered.
" Good, we will be leaving early before dawn and if memory serves me we will reach Rivendell at nightfall." Said Aragorn.
I nodded and laid down, the hobbits were already asleep. As I looked up at the night sky I felt that sleep wouldn't be coming to my restless limbs, they felt sore from the change still even though they had healed. The transformation had been abrupt and I could feel that it had been forced. I couldn't help but feel slightly out of place. I wished I was back in New Jersey. Wait, New Jersey. Skyscrapers and tall houses filled with people, filled with electronics and weapons and people so many people. I was dreaming about New Jersey, my home was in the mountains, in the north. I had a dog. I had books, plenty of books, one in particular the Lord of The Rings. I shot up coated in sweat and dew. No one else was awake except that I had come to the realization that I was not in New Jersey, I was in Middle Earth not only that but I was Skin Shifter a friend to the Great Bear and to Gandalf. I was apart of both places. Memories began to flood into my mind like the tide washing over me. I remembered playing in the park in Manhattan, I remembered going to the movies. I remembered my life and yet I understood all the history of Middle earth. I had the knowledge of it as if I had lived through every age and endured every danger. I felt as if I was not in my body. This body was slim, lean and muscular. Built for running and fighting and I had memory of handling weapons, bows and swords and daggers.
" Lucia?" Asked a voice. I looked over to see Aragorn waking.
" Goodmorning Aragorn." I answered.
" Goodmorning Indeed, However you seem troubled? Did your memory return?"
" Yes but I'm afraid it has left me with a bitter taste in my mouth and more confused then before."
He came up to me and put a hand on my shoulder.
" All will be well Lady Lucia. Rivendell will surely hold answers for you. Let us wake up the Hobbits.
We traveled swiftly and by night fall we had reached Rivendell just as Aragorn had said. We walked across the bridge and I was filled with a sense of peace. An elf was standing with his hands out. Aragorn ran to embrace him.
" Frodo is resting but he will soon recover." Said the Elf. " I am Lord Elrond. You are all most welcome. No doubt you are all wary of your trip here. I will have you shown to your rooms by Illiel." A female elf smiled and began to lead the hobbits and myself away from Aragorn and Lord Elrond.
" Wait, Lady Lucia I ask that you please come with me." Said Lord Elrond.
I turned around and followed Aragorn and Lord Elrond to a large study filled with books.
" Tell me Lady Lucia what it is you remember?" He asked.
" I remember all of what has happened in Middle Earth since the First Age as if I have lived it. I know of battle and I am a Skin Shifter. But I have no memories of me in Middle Earth. I only have memories of me in a strange world parallel to this one-
" Earth." Said a voice.
I turned around to see Gandalf.
" Gandalf?" I asked hesitant but hoping he would be able to enlighten me of my true purpose.
" You Lady Lucia are in fact the separated soul of Luthien. When she returned to Middle earth with her love Beren her eleven light was cast into the world. It could not find a home in Middle Earth however because of Luthien's mortal being and so it traveled. It found a home in you it seems."
Everyone was looking at me. Lord Elrond walked briskly to me and examined my every feature. He looked into my eyes deeply trying to find my Elvish remnants.
" Lucia simply stands for the Elvish inheritance that was given to you by Luthien's immortality." Continued Gandalf
" You mean I'm an Elf?" I asked. My hands grabbed the tips of my ears and felt their points between my fingers.
" Indeed. It seems that your Earthly body has been cast out of Earth and finally given a place in Middle Earth. At a strange time no doubt because danger is ever growing perhaps finally there is room enough for Luthien's energy to reach on this plane."
Gandalf paced back and forth as Aragorn sat down on the stone steps. Lord Elrond continued to inspect me. He took my hand and held it.
" She has healing in her blood. I would know the feeling of Luthien's fingerprint better then anyone. It must be true then. You are in fact Luthien reincarnated." Said Lord Elrond.
" Now now. Do not be hasty Lord Elrond. While she does in fact have Luthien's blood she is not in fact Luthien herself. Lady Lucia is in fact very much her person as it where. I doubt also that Lucia is your real name?" asked Gandalf
I thought about it for a good moment. Lucia, Lucia Lucia. I said the name over and over again.
" No Lucia is not my name. My name is Grace." I said
"Grace it is a pleasure then to see you restored in my house." Said Lord Elrond. He smiled at me widely.
" It would be best I think Lady Grace that you keep Luthien's connection to you a secret. Along with your many other traits, Skin shifters are not known to many and I bet The Great Bear would like to keep it as such. It is my hope that you have knowledge of the blade?" asked Gandalf
" Yes, sword and bow. Both I have trained with." I answered.
" Good, Good." Said Gandalf as he lit his pipe.
Lord Elrond stared at me and all I could do was smile and hope that it was good thing.
" Aragorn I have much to discuss with you. Perhaps Lady Grace you'd like to explore Rivendell for yourself?"
I nodded and took that as my cue to leave. As I walked out the realization that I had been somehow transported to Middle Earth and that I was walking in Rivendell. Not Peter Jackson's set but a real Rivendell filled with living immortal elves. I smiled wildly and skipped along the path. After wandering for a few hours I came to a beautiful garden. It was surrounded by a smooth stonewall with ivy carved into its sides. The walls were high but I could see vines of white roses that leaked up and over the wall. I felt the stone, it held a lot of age and was very old. I wondered how I could get inside. I searched around until finally I saw a stream that seemed to flow under the wall. I didn't know why but I knew I needed to get into the garden. I plunged into the water its coldness shocked me but as I swam under the wall I found the water had warmed slightly. That or I had quickly become numb to it. As I climbed out of the water and onto the grass I heard a Nightingale singing loudly. Thousands of roses that were ripe and open climbed the walls of the garden. A group of tall hemlocks grew in a circle in the center of the garden. I walked toward the hemlocks and could see Luthien walking between the trees. She was staring at me.
She whispered to me soundlessly " Grace, you have been gifted an immortal life. But at a great cost to your earthly self. You will soon regain the memory of your passing into this plane it will be a painful journey for you. You will be tested. The Ring shall awaken these pains but do not fear for you have a strength that is both wise and powerful. And above all remember love shall heal all wounds."
With that the whispers stopped and as I looked again to Luthien she was gone.
" How did you come into this garden?" asked a voice.
I whipped around quickly to see an elf nearly identical to Luthien.
" I- I swam under the wall." I said.
The elf smiled.
" No wonder you're all wet. I am Arwen daughter of Lord Elrond."
" Your Luthien's descendent." I said.
" How do you know that?" Asked Arwen she looked at me slightly nervous.
" You just- you just look so much like her." I answered looking down at my feet.
" Many people say such a thing my father included however I have never seen you before what brings you here?"
Together we sat down in the circle of hemlocks as the pink dust of sunset drifted in through the trees. I explained to her how Aragorn had brought me and that I was friends with Gandalf. I told her about my connection to Luthien and how I had been given a chance to thrive in Middle Earth. At the end of my tale she grasped my hand.
" It is good then that we have found each other. For I find myself plagued with the worry of love in my heart now more so then ever." Said Arwen.
I held her hand tight and I could feel the cold air of a pale moon rising. I looked up to the cloudless sky and found a bright moon staring back at us.
" Arwen, is this Luthien's garden?" I asked
" No, Luthien did not live in Rivendell but this garden is dedicated to her." Said Arwen.
We sat in silence for a good few minutes before I heard a rustle under the bushes. I looked over to see a small hedgehog roll out.
" A hedgehog." I said outloud and Arwen to looked over.
The small creature bustled and rushed its way to me and squeaked loudly. I jumped out of my seat.
" What is it?" Asked Arwen clearly alarmed.
" It said it has a message for me." I answered looking down at the hedgehog. He smiled politely at me.
" I have a message from Radagast and Beorn. You are to attend the secret council on their behalf. When the time comes you must travel with the ring to ensure its safety. You will be a great asset to their cause despite your worries. I am also to remind you that you must under not circumstance attempt to outsmart death for it comes to those it must and you can not meddle!" the small hedgehog shouted the last part at me so loudly I nearly fell over Arwen.
The small creature smiled at me and bid farewell as it scampered off into the underbrush.
" Is everything alright?" asked Arwen
" Yes. Yes its just been a long day I think I've had enough exploring." I answered smiling.
" Yes, I can show you to your room and how to enter the garden without getting wet."
We left the garden through a small tunnel lined with more white blooms. The path was covered in petals and as we walked I heard the faint singing of the moss and trees. Arwen lead me up a flight of stairs and into a small room with three large open windows.
" Linens and things are in the closet. I will come to wake you for breakfast tomorrow morning. I bid you goodnight Grace."
" Thank you Arwen. Goodnight."
I looked over the room and found the bed to be a thankful sight. I sat down and curled up still in my clothes. Sleep found me quickly and I did not dream a thing.
I heard a great commotion outside and gently stretched my limbs. As I looked out from the window I saw Frodo, Sam, Pippin and Merry joyfully jumping and yelling. The sun was beaming in through the windows and I found my body eagerly soaking up the sunshine. I heard the door open to an eager and smiling Arwen.
" Grace, I see you have woken already."
I couldn't stop smiling.
" Yes I couldn't help hearing the joy from the Hobbits."
" I know, they cause quite the happy racket. It is a nice change to so many calm mornings. Come breakfast is waiting and I'm sure you must be hungry."
We walked on the upper path and could see the glory of the river flowing past the rocks and trees. It was a beautiful sight flowing endlessly between the roots of Rivendell. We reached a great hall and I could see that not only elves were present. Men, dwarves and another race of blonde elves were all eating together. However they distinctly sat at different tables. The stubbornness between the races was hardly disguised. I frowned, even in Middle earth there was prejudice. Arwen lead me to a table closest to her father right near Aragorn. She was clever though asking me if I'd like to sit near him since he knew me most out everyone present in the room. I nodded. I could see her love for him clear as day.
I sat down and Aragorn smiled at me.
" Goodmorning Lady Grace I trust you slept well?" asked Aragorn.
" Like a rock." I answered. I grabbed some toast and other goodies while
Gandalf pulled up a chair beside me.
" Grace you are summoned on behalf of-"
" I already know." I answered taking a bite of toast.
" The hedgehog came last night. I am to go on behalf of Radagast and Beorn."
Gandalf smiled.
" Indeed. The council will be held shortly after breakfast. Aragorn will show you the way. Be dressed appropriately. " said Gandalf looking down at my long blue smock of a shirt.
" By dressed appropriately you mean?"
" I mean like a man with some great business and strength. You look about as put together as hobbit." Answered Gandalf somewhat laughing and looking over to Merry and Pippin who were both sporting similar white smock shirts untidy and messy as ever.
" Oh. I guess your right."
I felt eyes on me just then, only for a split second. They felt like a tide washing over my face. There was a coolness to them. I looked around for them but found no one. I dismissed the feeling and left after I had eaten.
I rushed to my room and found an array of mans clothes waiting to be tried and tampered with. I opted for black pants and a charcoaled long sleeved shirt that was coated in thin silver vines. I stepped out of my room and directly into Aragorn.
" Ah Lady Grace-"
" Just Grace please."
" Grace you certainly look like a man."
" I'll take that as a compliment. You think Gandalf will be happy with it?" I asked as we walked to where the council was being held.
"I think so. However you are a woman there is no way to hide such a fact. No amount of mans clothes will do."
We came to a circle of chairs. Frodo was already sitting on the edges of the circle there was an empty spot beside Gandalf and so I took the opportunity to snag it. As I sat down I heard Luthien's voice again.
" The Ring will test you Grace. It will remind you of what you have lost."
I could not feel the rings' full weight until Frodo brought it forward. He placed it on the stone table in the center of the council at the request of Lord Elrond. I held onto the chair. I felt a great sadness wash over me but also there was the tide again. The ebb and flow of a stare, Someone was watching me. I looked up and low and behold a blonde elf's eyes was wandering my direction. But I recognized him immediately.
" Havo Da Legolas." Said Aragorn.
He was standing. I had missed part of the council's discussion entirely, wonderful. I certainly was not helping. With that thought I heard something. A whispering, like warm wound still bleeding. It was flooding my ears as memories began to prick and tingle like needles at my mind. I sat completely still when I saw glimpses of my house my parents laughing and then suddenly the house was empty slowly filling with snow, and peeling paint and dirt and homeless animals seeking shelter. Then the animals left and the house was barren. The roof caved, photos scattered and curling in on themselves. Pictures, so many pictures of me and my family. Suddenly there was a large white building, and a stack of papers with everyone I've ever cared about and a list of deaths. So many deaths and my head began to throb. I felt the ocean against my mind again and as I looked up I met eyes with Legolas. It felt like he was trying to reach me. I was knee deep in the councils bickering again. Even Gandalf had become a part of the madness. I suddenly heard a small voice.
" I will take it. I WILL TAKE IT!" Yelled Frodo.
I turned to him and felt peace again. He was bound to it once more. I could not help but feel sadness for Frodo. His decision I knew would claim his life.
"I will help you bear this burden Frodo Baggins as long as it yours to bear." Said Gandalf.
One by one Aragorn, Legolas, Boromir, and Gimi all pledged to protect Frodo. It was my time to step up. I heard Luthiens voice in my head.
" Do not have fear my child."
" I too pledge to protect you Frodo Baggins by life and loyalty I swear it." I stood up. No one spoke, no one fought me, I was surprised.
" HEH! Mr Frodo aint going no where without me." Yelled a voice.
Sam emerged from the bushes.
" Yes it seems it is hardly possible to separate you two even when Frodo is summoned to secret council and you are not." Said Lord Elrond
Suddenly Merry and Pippin emerged from the bushes as well
" Hey We're coming too! " said Merry.
"You need people with a sort of intelligence on this sort quest!" said Pippin
" Well that rules you out Pip!" '
I laughed. I could certainly get used to their humor on such a perilous journey.