Chapter One
Ren brushed some of her hair back behind her ears as she stared up into the starry night sky. They were like the freckles on a woman's shoulders. She loved the night. She could sense a major stirring in the air. Something foul was afoot. She didn't like it one bit as an eerie darkness began to grow over the land. What the hell is going on? She leapt down from the tree she was in. Landing softly on the ground, and drawing out one of her daggers. She could hear a sort of screeching… Was it goblins? She didn't know. She crept over to some bushes to hide, and wait.
Nothing had come, and the darkness was lifted. Confused, and suspicious Ren held onto her daggers as she cautiously surfaced from the bushes.
"We were only meant to guard the borders, not explore the forest!", warned a very unhappy sounding man. Ren snuck back, and she crept into the bushes slowly before they would notice her presence. "I thought I sensed something…", pouted a female. The male sighed heavily, and he shook his head at her. The elven lady crossed her arms over her chest, and she gave him a hard look. "What are we supposed to tell my father"? "I don't know!", she said feeling defeated, and looking miserable. They continued to ramble like that as they walked away. Guard the borders? Of what? Ren thought as she snuck up, and followed them.
She followed them for what seemed to be all day, and wondered just who were these people? It was obvious that she liked this guy… and kind of cute. The land was lush, and elven for sure. Full of greens, reds, and fall color for the shifting season. Ren had never been to a remotely native land for her on the elvish half of her blood line. Yes, that's right. Only HALF an elf she is, and a shame to her clan. Her mother died shortly after giving birth to her. It wasn't from birthing complications or anything like that, but that she was killed. She lives with her adventurous father in Bag End. A happy little place full of grumpy, boring hobbits.
She watched as the girl reassured the nervous male elf, and then they both entered an elegant castle of sorts. Ivy enlacing through the whole structure. It was magnificent. The curiosity of her people began to burn deep within her chest again as she watched their figured disappear into their home. Guards were out all over, and she knew she would not be able to stay undetected for much longer. In fact someone else was looking around suspiciously as is, so she began to sneak back the way long way she had come. The image of the elven people bright within her mind, and certain to talk to her father about it when she would get home tonight.
Coming through the door, and locking it behind her a small round man rocking in a chair glared at her. "And just where have you been?", he accused. "Papa~", Ren whined at him as he went to give him a hug. "I am safe, and I made it home in one piece", she assured him. "You know that I don't like it when you leave home like that; and certainly not all day… Are you hungry"? Ren nodded her guilty head as her father got up, poured her some tea, and began to set up some food for her to eat.
"Thank you Father", she said as she watched the sparks of the fire in the mantle room. She could see little images of the elves quarreling with each other in the flames. She sighed heavily. "Are you thinking about your mother?", he asked. "No. While I was out today I saw-", she cut herself off. Was it really okay to tell him? She didn't really know. "What?", he said looking at her with his face scrunched with confusion. As the food was placed in front of her, and she began to eat she said, "It's just that… I saw some elves, and maybe followed them around today"…..
"You left your post, and endangered my son!?", bellowed Thranduil with rage at Jamie and Legolas. "Father with respect we-", Legolas spoke in defense of Jamie who's face was glowing red with humiliation, guilt, and rage. "ENOUGH~!", thundered Thranduil before his serene face calmed back into it's usual porcelain calm. "My son you are dismissed. I will talk with Jamie", he said softly as he flicked his wrist away. Legalos nodded his head, bowed, and left the room without another word obediently. "Come here", Thranduil said to Jamie who hesitantly walked over to him.
"Your parents were a strong part of this clan, and with their passing they left you with their legacy", he said to her. "Yes; so I have heard", she said with a stern and respectful tone to her voice. "I have loved you as one of my own, but now that you have grown your eyes are full of desire, and looking to my son", he said. She gave him concerned, confused, and surprised look. She didn't say anything though as he went on. "You are not of noble or royal blood line. You should know that if my son ever showed any interest in you, you are not to be with him regardless of passion or feeling", "But why? This makes no sense. Why keep love away for one another?", "Because we do not know he loves you! And He will not marry below his station", "What are you saying"? Jamie's stomach was forming knots of great discomfort as she watched his face that masked thoughts or feelings. "You have two options"… He began to say as he paced back and forth in front of her. "You can remain with your people, and choose to love someone else… Or… You can be banished from the clan". "What"!? Jamie's heart seized with pain, and her body throbbed with shock. "What will you choose"? "You do NOT choose who you love, and I will not say to no to him if he loves me back!", she thundered stubbornly right back at him. "Fine, then you may gather your things before you leave", he said to her lifting his face to hers.
"They are a very complicated people, and I don't know that you would actually enjoy them very much", Falco said to Ren. He was trying to explain the complex dynamic of the culture to which that belonged to the people she wished to interact with so badly. "I understand that you wish me not to hurt Father, and I can handle it. I promise", "I know. But I am your father, and I get to worry and try to protect you still", he said to her. "Thanks", Ren said to him as she washed her dishes, and got ready for bed.
"Why are you packing a bag?", said a smooth familiar voice. "I…", she couldn't even really say it. Tears were quickly swelling in her eyes, and she just looked helplessly into his handsome face. The face of safety and warmth. "Jamie… what is it"? He was very concerned as he grabbed her shoulders and looked into her face. He wanted to know, and he wanted to keep her safe. He was NOT okay with whatever was bother her so much. "I have to leave", she said to him. "Oh cool, what mission have you been sent on? I will accompany you", he said with a relieved smile. Jamie sniffled and wiped tears away as she packed some more. "I am LEAVING", she said slower. Waiting for it to sink in to his brain. The pain on his face as he realized what was happening was just as painful to bear as the pain of it actually happening to them. "But why"? He was hurt and he didn't understand…. "This is why"…. She touched his jaw, leaned up onto her toes, and kissed Legolas. Before he could react what so ever she took her ruck sack, and ran off.
Into the night, and on a new journey for our people. A story of love, relationship. This is how our couples got together…..