The group made their way towards the grand court of Galadriel and Celeborn by taking a long winding staircase built amongst the trees. Once they reached a level platform they were told to wait to be received by their hosts and Jessica looked around admiring the scenery and the beautiful view, from a safe distance away from the edge.
A sudden blinding light made Jessica simultaneously look up and shield her eyes as she looked over at the stairs in front of her and vaguely made out the shape of two figures descending the steps gracefully.
"Lord and Lady of Lothlórien." She heard Aragorn whisper from beside her as he touched his head reverently in greeting towards the couple.
Jessica could scarcely blink as she looked upon the two elves before her. Celeborn, just like the few elves she had met before, was insanely handsome and incredibly youthful looking despite her knowing he was even older than Legolas, but it was Galadriel who really took her breath away. Jessica had never seen a female elf before and she couldn't help but stare at Galadriel's beautiful long blonde hair and her perfect dewy complexion. Her eyes were the brightest of blue in colour and they seemed to stare into her very soul. She was in complete and utter awe of her.
As a woman I should be insanely jealous of how pretty she is but I just can't bring myself to hate anything about her.
"The Enemy knows you have entered here. What hope you had in secrecy is now gone. Nine that are here yet not the same nine there were set out from Rivendell. Tell me where is Gandalf? For I much desire to speak with him. I can no longer see him from afar." Celeborn spoke, his voice gentle and lilting.
"Gandalf the Grey did not pass the borders of this land. He has fallen into Shadow." Galadriel spoke for the first time, her voice a low seductive whisper that had Jessica questioning her sexuality.
She's doing that creepy mind reading thing, don't think inappropriate thoughts. You don't want her to know you think she's a complete babe.
"He was taken by both Shadow and flame. A Balrog of Morgoth. For we went needlessly into the net of Moria." Legolas answered in reply, his voice sounding so forlorn that Jessica actually managed to tear her gaze away from Galadriel to look at him and offer a small smile of comfort.
As she turned to look back at the Lord and Lady she noticed Galadriel's eyes on her, a scrutinising look set upon her pretty face and Jessica quickly looked away from her intense stare.
"Needless were none of the deeds of Gandalf in life. We do not yet know his full purpose. Do not let the great emptiness of Khazad-dûm fill your heart, Gimli, son of Glóin. For the world has grown full of peril. And in all lands love is now mingled with grief." Galadriel gifted them a small smile and she heard Boromir physically draw in a breath at the sight of it.
Doesn't Celeborn ever get pissed off at all these people just ogling his wife? Not that I can really talk, I was totally checking her out.
"What now becomes of this Fellowship? Without Gandalf, hope is lost." Celeborn looked towards his wife as he spoke.
What an optimistic guy.
"The quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little and it will fail to the ruin of all. Yet hope remains while the Company is true. Do not let your hearts be troubled. Go now and rest for you are weary with sorrow and much toil. Tonight you will sleep in peace, you will eat until you are full and you may be content in the knowledge that the elves of Lothlórien will guard your sleep." Galadriel spoke softly to them all.
As she finished speaking a female elf appeared beside Jessica and gently took her by the arm.
"Mae govannen my lady, I am named Iúleth. Do you wish to bathe?"
"Yes!" Jessica couldn't help the huge smile that spread across her face as Iúleth began to lead her away to where she assumed the bath was. Jessica quickly turned around and shot the fellowship a small salute in goodbye as she noticed they were being lead away in a different direction.
Iúleth guided Jessica up some more hidden stairs until they reached another platform where a large round tub sat full of steaming water. So filled with glee Jessica didn't even have chance to react when Iúleth placed her small hands on the hem of Jessica's hoodie and lifted it over her head. Her hands then went to the hem of Jessica's shirt before she quickly stepped away and out of reach of the elf's grasp.
"Woah, it's okay I can undress myself."
"I meant no offence; I always undress the other elleth in my care."
"It's fine, I was just a little surprised. I'm not sure about elves but most humans normally ask for permission before they start taking someone else's clothes off."
"Do you wish to bathe alone?"
"Please."
Iúleth nodded and began to show Jessica where all the amenities were. She cast Jessica a funny look when she asked what most of the things were. Jessica guessed using a twig and some crushed oyster shells to clean your teeth was a commonplace thing in Middle-earth but where she came from she used toothpaste. And she was also a little intimidated by the sharp curved bronze instrument that Iúleth called a strigil which was apparently meant to replace her Gillette razor from now on.
Once Jessica was plucked, preened and cleaned to within an inch of her life, and her fingers now resembled that of a ninety year old, she finally stepped out from her bath and wrapped herself in the silken robe Iúleth had left for her. She used her own brush to detangle her hair and set about the task as she waited for Iúleth to return.
She didn't have to wait long before Iúleth was once again leading her onto another platform which housed a small bed and a table with a large vanity mirror. Jessica once again marveled at the ingenious of elves and their architecture, even if she was shit scared she was about to fall to her death.
Most people like walls and doors, in fact they're normally considered a must for buildings.
"I have bought you one of my own dresses for we did not know that a female traveled with the fellowship, I hope you do not mind." Iúleth smiled as she held out a long dress that was dark blue in colour.
Jessica's eyebrows hit her hairline as she looked at the impossibly slim elf before her and suppressed the urge to groan. There was no way her ass or her boobs were going to fit into that dress.
"Sure, thank you." She fake smiled not wanting to offend Iúleth.
"I hope the dress is not too small, I do not wish for it to burst at the seams."
"I believe I am somewhat offended." Jessica muttered as she self consciously let the silk robe fall from her shoulders. Iúleth pulled a long slip over Jessica's naked body and then proceeded to pull the beautifully made dress over her head. The dress went on with little struggle but strained rather daringly at the chest and hips. Iúleth tied the laces at the back rather loosely to accommodate Jessica's larger size before picking up Jessica's discarded clothes and informing her that she would have them washed, repaired and returned to her by the morning.
Iúleth led Jessica over to the vanity and had her sit down as she used her brush to comb through her long hair.
"Do all elves reject the social convention of underwear?" Jessica fidgeted with a frown on her face as she felt her bare skin resting against the slip under her dress.
Iúleth raised an eyebrow at the mortal woman.
"You are most queer my lady."
"Jessica, my name is Jessica." She already felt rather strange at being waited on hand and foot without being called my lady by someone who was older and probably wiser than her.
Jessica watched with rapt attention as Iúleth braided her hair into a delicate updo and once she was finished she took a moment to admire Iúleth's skilled work in the large mirror.
"Always knew I was a looker."
"Modest too." Iúleth teased with a smile.
"What? I'm not going to pretend to be all humble. I know I have a good body, I work hard for it at the gym and people compliment my hair all the time so I know I have some nice features. I can admit I'm pretty, I don't need to fish for compliments."
"That is a most admirable trait. Elves are of a similar opinion but I have found that amongst the race of men most maidens lack self confidence."
"I know it's controversial to say so but I think most girls think of themselves as pretty but don't want to say it out loud in case they get called vain. There's nothing wrong with liking how you look. I mean I'm not saying that if a genie came along and offered me the chance to look like Megan Fox I wouldn't jump at it, but until then I'm okay with being me."
"Wise words indeed… well the words that I understood were wise."
"Have you met many humans before?" Jessica asked, remembering her earlier words.
"A few. I am the The Lady's personal handmaiden and have accompanied her on few journeys, some of which we have encountered mortals. I must confess I have little liked those I have met; most were petty and jealous little things, their hatred of elven beauty made them ugly on the inside."
"Well… I hope you don't think all humans are like that, I hope I'm not." Jessica laughed awkwardly though she wasn't offended by Iúleth's words. Having a model for a best friend she had seen first hand the hate that women could dish out towards those they felt threatened by.
"I suppose not all humans are the same." Iúleth gave a little grin as she pulled playfully on Jessica's hair.
"What?! Not all humans are exactly the same!? What a revelation! You must have graduated from the University of common fucking sense." Jessica spoke without thinking and then gasped as she realised what she had said to what was practically a stranger. To her great relief Iúleth began to laugh, a soft haunting sound that made the light hairs on Jessica's arms raise. "Sorry."
People in my world might find my sarcasm amusing but here it probably just comes off as offensive. Need to work on shutting my mouth.
"Most queer." Iúleth nodded to herself with a smile as she watched the human woman frown whilst she thought.
"I must tend to Lady Galadriel; Haldir will escort you down to your companions Jessica."
"Thanks Ey-uleth." Jessica winced as she butchered the pronunciation of the elf's name but Iúleth just laughed lightly, seemingly amused by everything Jessica did, which was somewhat welcome and somewhat patronising.
"You are most welcome." She grinned. "Try not to have too much fun with Haldir." Iúleth gave Haldir, who had just arrived, a gentle tap on the nose as she passed him. The blond elf frowned sternly at Iúleth as she left the room and Jessica guessed she was being sarcastic when she put the words 'fun' and 'Haldir' in the same sentence.
He turned without addressing her and Jessica guessed she was to follow him. Picking up the hem of her dress she sprinted after him, almost forgetting her fear of heights in her rush to catch up but that soon came back to her when she was faced with the long winding stairs and no handrail to hold onto. She cautiously took the stairs one step at a time, walking painfully slow and trying not to look down.
"You walk as slow as a dwarf." Haldir commented from in front of her, a displeased look on his face.
Jessica couldn't really see how that was an insult but knowing how much elves hated dwarfs she guessed he was probably being offensive towards hers.
"Thanks!" She shot him a beaming smile.
He raised an eyebrow.
"It was not a compliment."
"Well I'm going to take it as one. Dwarves are noble and brave and great warriors..."
Now he lifted both eyebrows.
"And friendly…" she didn't really agree with that but she was exaggerating to try and get an actual word from the elf walking in front of her.
Besides some dwarf somewhere has to be friendly.
"Friendly?" He questioned. "Except to other races and cultures. And to soap and water."
Jessica sniggered as they continued walking but Haldir didn't speak or even look her way. When they reached the bottom he led her to an area on the ground where the fellowship all sat around a warm fire, minus Aragorn and Boromir who were sat talking in quiet whispers by a tree off to the side of the camp.
They looked up at their arrival and Haldir offered them a small bow in greeting before walking away without saying so much as a word to anyone.
"Give that man a chat show, couldn't get a word in edge ways." Jessica muttered as she released the hem of her dress and let it fall back to her ankles.
"Water and soap does you many favours lassie." Gimli commented as Jessica looked up to see Merry and Pippin staring at her with wide eyes.
"What?" She questioned self consciously.
"You are a lady." Pippin breathed, his eyes still on her.
"You've only just noticed?" Jessica glared down at her over exposed chest. "I suppose it's rather hard to miss right now."
She watched as both Merry and Pippin blushed a violent shade of purple and Gimli rolled his eyes at her forwardness.
"Come take a seat." The dwarf stood to let her pass and she noted how civil he was being, for once.
As he stood she noticed the elven clothes that had been loaned to him, how they convinced him to wear them she had no idea, and couldn't help the snort that left her.
Gimli wore a tunic, which was too big for him, tucked into what appeared to be some type of leggings, which were also too big for him and therefore sat low on the dwarf's hips and exposed most of his undergarments.
"Nice outfit, did you join a gang?"
Another one of those moments where you should think before you speak. He was being nice and you've gone and insulted him again!
To her surprise Gimli didn't reply, just smiled toothily and motioned for her to pass. Jessica raised a skeptical eyebrow at the dwarf but walked past him anyway and took a seat next to Merry.
The company sat in silence, all of them staring into the glowing embers of the fire as the elves around them in the trees sung a sad sounding song. Jessica knew they were lamenting the loss of Gandalf and a sombre mood hung in the air.
"Jessica?"
Jessica's head shot up to see Iúleth standing before them and she watched as she curtsied to the men.
"Yes Ey-leweth?" Jessica cringed as she once again destroyed Iúleth's name.
"Lady Galadriel wishes to speak with you; she asks that you meet her at her mirror before the hour ends."
Jessica had to physically stop her jaw from hitting the ground.
"I… I don't know where that is."
"I shall take you there." Legolas spoke up from the opposite side of the camp.
Iúleth nodded at them.
"Then I will bid you all a good night." She smiled once at Jessica before leaving.
"I wonder what The Lady of the Galadhrim would wish to speak to you of at this late hour." Aragorn wondered aloud as he and Boromir joined the group.
"Yeah I'd like to know too." Jessica muttered feeling somewhat nervous about it all.
"There is only one way to find out." Legolas smiled as he stood. "Shall we?"
Jessica blew out a large breath before standing and making her way over to Legolas. She walked slightly behind him and let him lead the way to wherever they were going.
"I've always fan-girled so hard over Galadriel, but now I'm kind of scared."
"You have nothing to fear from the Lady of Light."
"I fear having my mind read." She muttered.
Legolas raised an eyebrow at her and Jessica resisted the urge to ask if that was an elf thing, to just raise one eyebrow instead of actually speaking.
"Lady Galadriel is not to be feared, her power is great but she does not abuse it. The Lady of Light is one of the greatest of all the Eldar, said to be second only in power to Fëanor himself, and also said to surpass even Fëanor in wisdom."
He's saying all these words but I have no idea what he's talking about. Is this what having a conversation with me is like for him?
"She was a friend of Melian the Maia and it is possible that Melian taught Galadriel many things during the First Age…" Legolas stopped as he noticed the vacant expression on Jessica's face.
"Are you even speaking English – I mean Westron? I'm pretty sure you're just making words up now."
"Mae govannen Legolas Thranduilion, le hannon an tegi Jessica enni na sen ablu." Jessica jumped as they came to a stop and Galadriel seemed to appear out of nowhere.
"I heard my name." Jessica whispered to Legolas as he raised a hand to cover his chest before extending his arm outwards in greeting.
"Glassen, glass nín gen achened hiril nín." He replied.
"Mae athollen Legolas, Manen le?" Galadriel asked with a smile.
"Im maer hiril nín."
"Man siniath o lîn adar?"
Jessica cleared her throat loudly, not wanting to be rude but feeling completely awkward as they continued on with a conversation she couldn't understand whilst she just stood there shifting awkwardly from foot to foot.
"My apologies young Jessica, how rude of me to bid you come see me and then to completely ignore you." Galadriel gave a kind smile and Jessica guessed that no one ever stayed mad at her for long.
"It's okay." She shrugged.
"Ma linnatha ab-pedo Legolas."
Legolas nodded and bowed slightly before turning to give Jessica a fleeting look and then suddenly they were both alone.
Jessica was looking anywhere but at Galadriel whilst the elf smiled patiently down at her.
"Come child, walk with me."
Jessica fell in step behind her as she strolled leisurely around what appeared to be a well kept garden.
"You are not of this world." Galadriel spoke suddenly and Jessica wondered if Gandalf had told her of his plans to bring her here or if she had read her mind.
"That's pretty obvious." Jessica agreed.
Galadriel stopped walking and turned to face Jessica.
"Why are you here?"
"You… you asked me here?"
"Nay child, why are you in Middle-earth?"
"Because Gandalf asked me here?"
"You chose to accept his invitation, why?"
Jessica shrugged, feeling like an admonished five year old before her.
"I can't give you some grand speech about how I came to help fight evil or anything like that. I came here for purely selfish reasons and if it came down to a fight then I'm just gonna go ahead and tell you now, I'd probably run for it. I mean I'd give it a try but I'd probably end up just getting my head kicked in. I'm pretty much useless here, but at the same time I'm selfish enough to not want to go home because this is the most excitement I've ever had in my whole life…" She blew out a large breath through her nose. "See now I've said it out loud it all sounds so self-centred. You're fighting for the survival of your world and I'm acting like I'm at holiday camp."
"Why do you tell me these words if you are so disturbed by them?"
"Because you can read my mind, there's no point in lying to you."
Galadriel did not respond for a while, instead she went over to a tall bush and bowed slightly to smell an exotic looking flower.
"I believe even if I did not posses the ability to see into your thoughts you would have told me the truth. You are an honest person Jessica, so honest it may even be a flaw."
"My mouth does get me into trouble quite a lot." Jessica laughed slightly.
Why am I even here? Surely she didn't call me all the way down here to talk about my lack of social grace?
"You desire to gaze upon my enchanted mirror?"
"What?" Jessica questioned, startled.
"That is what I saw when I looked into your mind."
"Well the thought did cross my mind, that's kind of what you're famous for. I wondered if that's why you called me down here."
"There is nothing in my mirror that you need to see."
Jessica frowned not sure where the conversation was heading.
"Your ill thought out decision to enter this world will only end in heartbreak for you Jessica Kendrick."
"What?" She asked dumbly.
"Mithrandir believed loneliness lay ahead for you on Earth but what he did not see was that you are destined for a life of loneliness on any world. You may find friendship, a home, even those who you may call family here on Middle-earth but you cannot have the heart of one who is elf-kind."
Jessica frowned, her eyebrows drawing together in confusion at Galadriel's words.
"I do not say these things to be harsh to you Jessica. I knew of your coming, knew of your valuable knowledge yet I had little desire to speak privately with you for I knew, that even I, cannot be allowed to discuss what it is you know. I was content to trust in Mithrandir and to trust in your judgement also. I see now that you are but a child who made a decision all too soon and with little thought. You have entered into this world but you know not what you have done."
"With all due respect I know what I gave up, I might seem like a child to you but in my world, with humans, I'm an adult."
Without even thinking about them images of her parents and her best friend, even her dog, flashed in her mind with stunning clarity.
She looked up in alarm realising Galadriel was somehow doing it to her.
"You will never see them again. I do this not to cause you pain but to make you aware. You say you will run from a fight but you cannot run from this, pain will come to you here on Middle-earth, though it may not be physical."
Jessica looked away feeling guilty, childish and a little angry.
"Well the choice has been made, I'm here aren't I? What do you want me to do? Gandalf said I could never go home once I crossed over here."
I'm not even sure I would go home if given the choice. Am I selfish?
"I know child, you cannot return."
"Then what was the point of this talk?" Jessica asked more harshly than she had meant to.
"To help you to accept, to learn and to let go."
"Of my family?"
"Of your family, and of your hopes for Legolas."
Jessica pulled a face as she scrunched up her nose.
"My hopes for Legolas?"
"As I said I had no desire to look into your mind until you were stood before me and instead of gazing upon my beauty you turned from me, to offer comfort to an ellon."
"I… he was upset and he's my friend, sort of. You're reading way too much into that."
"Was it not you who said you were to be honest as I could read your mind and know the truth no matter what you said?"
Jessica spluttered, a little indignant at having her own words used against her.
"I am being honest! We're just friends!"
"I know, you are his friend. You however wish for more from him. I saw in your mind the years of youthful adoration, the feelings you now harbor and that grow at finally meeting him."
"What you saw was me being in lust, not in love. That's hardly a crime."
"For now it is but a seed planted in your mind. What will come to grow will not end well for you Jessica. He sees you as but a child and he always will. Elves are passive to the charms of humans and by the time you are to be considered an adult by him your life will be over, a mere blink to us but a whole life span of time for you. There are some, but few, cases of a mortal and immortal falling in love and with good reason. You will grow old and die, Legolas will forever remain as he is, growing only in wisdom and years lived. He is a prince and I know Thranduil of old, do you believe he will let a mortal woman sit on the throne beside his son and rule over his people? He will not allow you to join his bloodline."
Jessica blinked, once, twice, three more times. Her mouth hung open and she couldn't find the skill to close it as she stared at the elf before her.
She's making out like I just proposed to the guy.
"Uhm… okay, thanks?"
That was beautifully articulate.
"Do not think me unkind, I only say this to you with the best of intentions."
"No it's just what I wanted to hear before bedtime, unattainable elf is way out of my league. I'll get old and ugly and he'll always be hot. Got it, is that everything?"
"I am glad you have your humour. You shall have need of it in the months to come."
Aren't you just the life and soul of the party?
"I am truly sorry if I have upset you Jessica."
"It's fine." She laughed slightly. "They do say you should never meet your idols."
Galadriel nodded.
"I shall take my leave of you now; there is someone else I must speak with."
I don't envy that person.
"Frodo?" She questioned, remembering that she called him forth to gaze into her magic mirror.
Galadriel stopped briefly turning to face Jessica with a look of surprise.
"How did you-" she stopped talking as she remembered the reason why Jessica was bought to Middle-earth in the first place and laughed softly. "So that is what that feels like." She murmured with a smile. "Oltho vae ne fuin hen Jessica."
Jessica nodded not understanding the words but guessing they were a dismissal.
The way back to camp was lit by small candles that flickered all around her. She knew she should make her way back to the small bed she had been give high up in the trees but she couldn't face walking up there on her own in the semi-darkness and a small part of her didn't want to be alone tonight after Galadriel's words.
She says not to be upset after basically telling me no matter what planet I'm on I'm destined for a life of loneliness, what a joker.
Jessica shook her head with a sigh and was glad when the fellowship's camp came into view. As she passed she peered into Frodo and Sam's tent and noticed Frodo was already gone. It was then she saw Legolas lying by the still roaring fire and she slowly made her way over to him. She watched him as he gazed up at the stars, a distant look in his eyes. They stayed that way for a few long minutes, him looking at the sky and her looking at his face before Jessica decided to sit next to him.
She frowned when he didn't acknowledge her and suddenly her heart started racing as she wondered if he had heard Galadriel's words or if he had had a similar conversation with the beautiful elf.
So I fancy the guy, it's not a crime. God this is mortifying.
Still Legolas did not move or even blink. Jessica moved slightly so that she was leaning over him, blocking his view of the night sky. His eyes did not move as he stared blankly at nothing.
He heard about my crush and killed himself.
She tried to use humour to distract herself from the rising panic that Legolas might actually be dead. She reached a hand out and touched his neck to feel for a pulse. Before she could even adjust she suddenly found herself flat on her back with something cold and sharp pressed against her neck as Legolas lay on top of her.
"Jessica?" He muttered in confusion as he removed his knife from her throat. "It is unwise to sneak up on an elf whilst they rest."
"Rest? You were asleep? It looked like you were practicing your pose for your coffin. It was completely creepy, I thought you were dead."
He moved from on top of her and went back to laying down, crossing his arms behind his head.
"Did you not know that is how elves take rest? You seem to know everything else of this world."
"Tolkien was a little vague on elf sleeping habits; guess he had more important things to write about, like destroying the one ring." Jessica rolled her eyes as Legolas grinned at her.
"It is more of a meditative state of peace than what you would consider sleep. Elves rarely require rest therefore I suppose it can look a little strange to mortals."
Jessica didn't reply just smiled at him slightly as she sat up and pulled her hair from the intricate braid that Iúleth had weaved it into.
"The hour is late; you should go to your bed and find some rest Jessica."
"Would it be awfully improper if I slept down here with you guys?"
"Most improper." Legolas nodded. "Do you wish for me to walk you to your room neth min?"
Neth min means young one.
'He sees you as but a child and he always will.' Galadriel's words rang loud in her ears.
Stop being so sensitive you came here to help Middle-earth, not meet hot singles in your area.
"No it's okay, I'll manage." She smiled at him.
"Are you sure? I know how you fear heights."
"Despite popular opinion I am an adult and I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself."
"I do not doubt that."
"Lost toe vay Legolas."
"Losto Vae Jessica."
TRANSALTIONS:
Mae govannen Legolas Thranduilion, le hannon an tegi Jessica enni na sen ablu – Well met Legolas, son of Thranduil. Thank you for bringing Jessica to me at this late hour.
Glassen, glass nín gen achened hiril nín – You're welcome, it is my joy to see you again my lady.
Mae athollen Legolas, manen le – Welcome Back Legolas, how are you?
Im maer hiril nín – I'm well my lady.
Man siniath o lîn adar – What news of your father?
Ma linnatha ab-pedo Legolas – We shall speak later Legolas.
Oltho vae ne fuin hen Jessica – May you dream well tonight Jessica.
Losto Vae Jessica – Sleep well Jessica.
I know some of the conversations between Jessica and the elves might seem a little random but I was trying to get across just how much older elves are than humans and how to them we would probably be considered pretty insignificant and ruled by our emotions. Hopefully I somewhat did elves justice.
Anyway this chapter turned out to be super long! Thank you to everyone who reviewed/followed/favourited.
Please review and let me know your thoughts.