Chapter 10: Home at Last
The next day Ammie woke with the sun along with Morgwae pushing her out of her cloak.
"Kela!" she moaned waving him out of her face.
Legolas laughed as he prepared breakfast. Ammie sat up and glared at him. He looked at her innocently. She rose and began to pack up her things. Legolas rose and helped her.
"What are you doing?" she asked pushing her hair back off her face.
"I'm trying to help." He answered trying not to laugh.
"I don't need your help." She said picking up her cloak.
"Really?" He laughed as she stumbled over to the horse.
She turned and glared at him. She turned back to the horse and finished strapping on her things. When she turned back to Legolas, Morgwae pushed her from behind. She almost lost her balance but caught herself.
"Morgwae," she snapped looking at the horse, "calm down we'll leave in a little while."
"Is he getting impatient?" Legolas asked innocently.
"He doesn't like waiting." She replied, "And you are going too slow."
"Am I?" he inquired tossing her his pack.
"Yes." She answered catching it and putting it onto the horse.
"Well I will try to hurry then." He said finishing up the breakfast.
She shook her head. He walked over to her and offered her a plate of food. She rolled her eyes and turned to her pack. She pulled out something that looked like a leaf.
"What's that?" he inquired suspiciously.
"My breakfast." She answered unwrapping a piece of bread.
"I beg your pardon?" he asked looking at the food in his hand.
"I usually don't eat very much in the mornings." She replied taking a bite.
"What is that?" he asked tossing the leftovers of his breakfast away.
"Lembas." She answered as she wrapped it back in it's covering.
"Where did you get it?" he questioned, "I thought only the lady of a city could make it."
"Lady Galadriel taught me how to make it long ago." She said turning to the horse, "Do you think you can bear another rider today?" she asked rubbing his nose.
The horse tossed his head. Ammie laughed and turned to her companion. He stared at her in confusion.
"What did he say?" he asked trying not to laugh.
"He agreed to carry another as long as it wasn't you." She replied smiling at her own joke.
"What?" he asked not catching on.
She laughed and mounted the horse. He approached the horse cautiously. Ammie offered him her hand. He swung on behind her.
"I can't believe you did that." He told her laughing.
She leaned over, "Lets go." She whispered to the horse.
Morgwae took off. Legolas barely had time to react. He grabbed Ammie and held on tight. After awhile she looked at him.
"You can let go." She said laughing.
"Oh, I'm sorry." He replied loosening his grip. "That kind of took me by surprise."
"He is going kind of fast isn't he?" she asked looking over her shoulder at him.
"Do you think he could slow down?" he countered.
"Not if we want to get to Imladris today." She replied shaking her head.
"Do we have to be there today?" he questioned after awhile.
"I would like to be home and not have to worry about getting caught out here." She answered leaning forward on the horse.
"Noro lim, Morgwae." She told the horse.
She looked back at her companion and smiled mischievously. He shook his head in disbelief. She turned back to the front and heeled Morgwae to go faster.
They stopped at midday to let Morgwae rest and have some lunch.
"So where are we?" Legolas asked looking over at Ammie.
"We're at the foot of the Misty Mountains now." She replied looking up.
"Really?" he said amazed, "So when will we reach Imladris?"
"Before nightfall." She answered going over to Morgwae. "I hope to be back in time for dinner."
Legolas smiled and shook his head as she mounted. He went over and climbed on behind her. Morgwae didn't need to be told, he took off. He wanted to get his master home as much as she wanted to be there. He understood her moods; she didn't need to tell him anything.
A few hours later, they were through the mountains. Ammie could see the last homely house. She was almost home. She urged Morgwae to go faster. When they entered the city, no one was around.
"Where is everyone?" Legolas inquired sliding off the horse, when they came to a stop.
"Probably inside eating dinner." She replied allowing him to help her dismount.
When her feet reached the ground, she turned to the horse and told him to go. Morgwae took off but didn't go very far. They hadn't been far apart for many years.
Ammie and Legolas went inside and entered the great hall, where everyone was eating dinner. When the pair entered everyone looked up from their meal. The twins rose and went over to the couple.
"Mae govannen, Legolas. Nae saian luume'." Elladan said greeting the prince.
"Mae govannen, Dan. Ro." He replied turning to the other twin. "Allow me to introduce Hawk."
"Hawk?" the twins replied in unison.
Estel heard this and looked up. Had he said Hawk? The Hawk? Was his hero really here? Maybe he could teach him while he was here. He would show that she-elf when she returned.
He rose and went over to the foursome by the door. The twins were laughing at something. He looked up at the new guests. There was a blond elf and a shorter dark haired elf. He really thought Hawk was a man, not an elf. Oh well. He was still better than that Ammie person. He looked at the blond, he looked like what he pictured Hawk. It had to be him.
Elrohir looked down at the boy, "I would like to introduce you to Legolas, Prince of Mirkwood." Legolas crossed his arm over his chest in greeting, "And Hawk." Ammie bowed her head in acknowledgement.
The boy was a little disappointed, but he would get over it. Hawk was here.
"Mae govannen." He replied bowing awkwardly at the waist.
The elves laughed. He straightened and looked to the two new elves.
"I'm honored to finally meet you." He said looking to Ammie.
"It is nice to meet you as well, Estel." She replied unable to hold her laughter any more.
He looked up, "How do you know my name?" he asked amazed.
"We have met before." She answered still laughing.
"I think I would remember it." He countered.
"I think you do, very well in fact." She replied looking down at the boy.
"Really? When did we meet?" he asked his eyes narrowing.
"It's me, Ammie." She replied going over to her father and embracing him.
Estel was shocked. This couldn't be Ammie, it was a joke. She wasn't really Hawk, the twins were playing a joke on him.
Legolas looked at the boy, "Come, lets get you back to the table." He smiled.
"It's a joke isn't it?" Estel asked the prince not moving. "You're really Hawk aren't you?"
"No," he laughed, "I am who they say."
"But she can't be Hawk, she just can't be." He shook his head and headed to the table.
Legolas watched the boy walk away; he hadn't believed Ammie when she said the boy didn't like her. He really needed to learn some respect for his elders. Maybe while he was here he would show this boy a thing or two.
"Hawk," Legolas said sitting down beside her, "I'm sorry I doubted you."
"What?" she questioned turning to him.
"I didn't believe you about the boy. I'm sorry." He replied shaking his head.
"Its alright. I hope to change his mind about me." She smiled and looked at the boy.
Elladan was sure that if the boy knew who she was he would like her better, but it didn't look like it. He was going to have to learn this lesson the hard way. He looked over at his sister and Legolas. He wasn't sure why he didn't like them spending time together, but he didn't.
Elrohir was also thinking about the couple, but his thoughts were different. He was glad that Legolas had come back with Ammie. This would mean she would smile more. He liked Legolas and thought he was perfect for his little sister.
"Hawk," he said addressing his sister, "how long are you here for this time?"
"As long as I am able. I want to be home." She replied smiling at him.
"Why do you keep calling her that?" Estel asked disdainfully.
"That is her name." Elladan replied shaking his head.
"No it's not." He snapped. "Hawk is the greatest person in all of Middle Earth. He isn't a girl."
"Estel," Elrohir began but Ammie put her hand on his arm.
"Why do you hate me, boy? What did I do to you?" she asked cocking her head.
"Because you're too good. And now you claim to be Hawk." He replied.
"I see. You are jealous and you make it known by being angry." She shook her head. It was so obvious, why hadn't she seen it before?
"Well," Legolas said rising from the table, "I think we should go and have some fun."
Ammie looked at him and smiled. He was trying to distract the boy. The twins rose, as did Estel. They looked over at Ammie to see if she was coming.
"I'll be out in a moment." She replied, "I need to speak with ada."
"What is it dilthen min?" her father asked when everyone had left.
"I wanted to tell you that I meant what I said, I want to stay. Is that alright?" she asked biting her lip.
"Of course, dilthen min, Imladris will always be open to you." He told her rising.
He helped her to her feet and kissed her cheek. She smiled and headed out to find the boys. They were out at the archery range shooting. Ammie approached silently. Legolas spotted her out of the corner of his eye, but didn't say anything. When she was directly behind them she cleared her throat. The twins jumped and turned. Legolas was preparing to shoot.
"You know only Hawk could sneak up and scare two elves." He said firing, hitting the bull's eye.
"Not three?" she asked looking at him.
"I saw you." He replied turning to face her.
"Oh I guess I'm getting careless." She said frowning.
"No I was watching for you." He shook his head.
"Oh, well," Elladan interrupted not liking this turn in the conversation, "would you like to take a shot, Hawk?"
"By all means," his brother said bowing, "you must."
Ammie laughed, but she pulled her bow off her back. It was getting rather dark. The target was almost completely in the shadows. But she still grabbed an arrow and fired.
"I can't see where it hit." Estel said squinting hoping to see the target better.
"Why don't you run down there and tell us where it hit?" Elladan suggested, "Remember hers is the black feathered one not the green one."
"Why did you do that?" his sister asked raising her brow.
"To see if he might change his mind." He replied looking back to the boy who was running back.
"Look at this." Estel said out of breath.
He held out two arrows, one was split in two. It had a green feather.
"I found the black one in the target and this one was on the ground." He panted.
"Well it seems Hawk comes by her name honestly." Legolas laughed picking up his splintered arrow.
"I'm sorry about that." She said grabbing her arrow. "I wasn't aiming."
"I can always get another arrow." Legolas replied throwing it away.
It was now very dark, so the twins took Estel back to his house.
"Elladan?" the boy asked before he went inside.
"Yes Estel." The elf said looking down at the boy.
"Is she really Hawk?" he looked ready to give her a chance.
"Let me tell you a story, little one." He answered sitting down. When the boy was seated he began, "Many years ago, long before you were born, a young elf child came to live here. Her name was Ammie. Now from all appearances she was just another elf. But one day she decided to enter a contest, now this contest was only for the boys, you see. But she really wanted to enter and prove that she was good enough. So she dressed up like a boy, and entered the contests under a new name. Well when the contests started, she lost her first one, which was the sword fighting. But nobody knows why she lost. Anyway she went on to win the next two events, something no one had ever done. And the next day when it was time to give out the prizes, my father introduced her as Ammie Hawk. Because you see the name she entered under was Hawk, a name she had been given by a friend."
"But why have I never met her? And why does she go by two different names now?" Estel was confused.
"After the contest, she left Imladris. Where she went I guess only she knows. But it was rumored that she went to the Undying Lands, and about a year later Hawk appeared in Middle Earth. Now I can only guess that when she came back to Middle Earth she came as Hawk. And that is what she has been called for many years. And that is your hero." Elladan explained.
"I guess I shouldn't have been so hard on her." The boy was on the verge of tears.
"Its alright, you're not the first to doubt her because she is a girl, and you won't be the last." The elf replied rising, "Now I really think you should go in so your mother doesn't get mad at me."
When the others left, Legolas led Ammie to the gardens. She stopped before they entered. Legolas looked down at her in confusion.
"I can't." she said shaking her head.
"Why not?" he replied confused.
"I just can't. Not right now." She answered pulling away and going to her room.
Elrohir saw her flight from the garden and followed her. She looked like she was about to cry. When she entered her room he paused. But then he knocked.
"Who's there?" she said startled.
"Elrohir. May I come in?" her brother answered.
The door opened, Ammie looked awful.
"Mani na roeg, dilthen min?" he asked coming in and closing the door.
"I don't know." She replied looking down.
He pulled her over to the bed and sat down, pulling her down beside him. When she was seated he wrapped his arms around her protectively.
"Can you tell me about it?" he asked trying to help. "Did we do something?"
"No, it wasn't you." She answered evasively.
"Is it the boy?" he tried narrowing down his search. She shook her head. "Ada?" again the shake of her head. "Does it have something to do with Legolas?" he asked running out of options.
She looked away. So it had to do with the prince of Mirkwood. If he hurt her he would pay.
"Tell me about it." He coaxed.
"I don't know." She said frustrated. "I don't know what it is. I like being around him, but we can't be more than just friends."
"Why, dilthen min?" her brother asked confused. He was sure there was more than friendship between these two.
"Because I'm betrothed." She snapped.
"What?" he hadn't heard about this.
"Ada and Mithrandir decided long ago who I was going to marry." She turned her face away from her brother to hide her tears.
"Have you tried to talk to ada, maybe he'll call it off." He suggested holding her close.
"He said his decision was final." She replied crying into his shoulder.
"Did he tell you who?" he asked cautiously.
"No." she answered looking up at her brother.
"Then why are you worried? If he didn't tell you who, he probably planned to call it off if something like this happened." He explained understanding their father.
"Do you think so?" she sniffed, the tears having stopped.
"I do. You have to realize, I know ada." He laughed. "But I would wait and see. But don't hold back."
She smiled as he rose and left the room. She slipped into bed and went straight to sleep.
The next day, Estel found her at breakfast. He sat beside her and was very polite. Ammie was confused, she looked to her brothers. Elladan smiled at her. She shook her head; he had talked to the boy. Legolas showed up later and also noticed the boy's new attitude. He was glad that that situation was resolved.
"Ammie," Estel asked after breakfast, "could you teach me how to shoot today?"
"Of course. If you are ready?" She replied looking down at him.
He nodded. She led him outside and for the better part of an hour she taught him. When the hour was over, he could shoot like an elf.
"Wow! I didn't know it was so easy." He said when he finally got it.
"You just have to let it come, and not try so hard." She explained putting her hand on his head.
"Can you teach me to use the sword like you?" he asked jumping up and down.
"Alright." She agreed.
The sword took a little bit more time for him to get down. But he could fight her longer than a few seconds. He was getting there. Legolas came out about halfway through the sword training. Ammie looked over at him and smiled.
"Maybe it would be better if you faced someone other than me for awhile." She laughed as her student looked up confused. "Legolas would you like to help me train the boy?"
"If you think it will help?" he replied rolling his eyes.
He faced the boy and drew his sword. He preferred to use a bow. But he had beat Ammie once. Estel did very well; in fact he almost disarmed the prince. But in the end Legolas ended up winning.
"You did very good, Estel." Ammie said when they were finished.
"I didn't win." He frowned.
Ammie laughed. He sounded just like her.
"I didn't think you would." She explained, "You only just got down the basics. Legolas has been fighting for many years."
"Would you like to fight me?" the prince asked innocently.
"Why? Do you think you could win?" she countered.
"I did once before." He shrugged.
Estel was confused. What did he mean? He lasted longer when he fought the prince. Ammie could easily beat him. His attitude had done a complete one-eighty. Instead of complete distain now he held her up above everyone.
"You distracted me." She commented drawing her sword.
The blades met. The fight lasted about half an hour. But finally Ammie got the upper hand and disarmed her opponent. Legolas was out of breath, but Ammie could have gone on longer.
"I was mistaken." The prince said bowing.
The twins arrived to tell the trio it was time for lunch.
"How did it go?" Elladan asked his sister.
"Very well. He is a very good student." She answered looking over at the boy.
He smiled and ducked his head. He was glad she was his teacher. The twins laughed.
A few days later, Legolas left for his home. Ammie would miss him, but he promised he would be back. Estel became a very good fighter over the next few years. He wasn't as good as Ammie but almost. He also became close to her, as close as a brother. Ammie remained in Rivendell for many years, but she knew one day she would need to leave the refuge of her home.