Title: How Does It Feel (20/?)
Author: palephoenix (palephoenix(underscore)6(at)yahoo.ca)
Genre: LOTR FP-het Pairing: Legolas/OFC Rating: PG for now.
Warning: Mary Sue... I'm in a Mary Sue mood... I can't fathom why anyone who doesn't like Mary Sues would read a fic clearly labelled as such... But apparently some have... -rolls her eyes- When you review telling me my story sucks because it's a Mary Sue all you end up doing is giving me my good laugh of the day.
Archive: My site if I ever get it done... Disclaimer: Not for profit, purely for entertainment purposes. The characters belong to Tolkien and the actors belong to themselves. I'm just borrowing them. I don't know the actors; if I did I wouldn't be writing this... I'd be keeping Orlando in my bed for the next five years.
Feedback: pretty please with Orlando on top?
Notes: Eilish is pronounced 'eye-lish'... As far as I know it is the Irish version of Elizabeth... As in previous chapters, words in italics are in elvish, with the translation at the end of the paragraph. This chapter is written with canon events, not movie events. Any dialogue (and only dialogue) marked with an asterisk () is taken directly, word for word, from the book.
Summary: Labour and delivery nurse Eilish Bell is in a car accident and finds herself thrown into Middle Earth.
Chapter 20
The Company enjoyed a lovely, soothing rest in the Nairn of Lorien. They lay down on the soft carpet of fresh scented grass and took their rest eagerly. Legolas stretched out in the thick grass and Eilish lay down next to him, her head on his shoulder and tried to let the tension of the journey flow away.
"Caran, what made you so anxious at the possibility of being blindfolded yesterday?" Legolas asked curiously. -red-
"When I was a kid, one night I woke up from a really bad dream and got out of bed to turn the light on. But my room was pitch dark and I was disoriented. I couldn't even find my bedroom door. Finally, I guess I was making a lot of noise and woke my dad. He came down to my room and turned on the light," She said quietly. "Ever since I've been freaked by being in the dark and not being able to get out of it."
"Ah, I understand your fear, Caran," Legolas said. -red-
Eilish sighed. "I wish we could stay here forever, 'Lass." -leaf-
"As do I, Caran," He said wearily. "I fear what will happen when we leave this safety. My heart tells me things will go ill." -red-
"Yes," Eilish agreed, "I have a bad feeling. Even though I know what could happen, something is still bothering me, something more."
"Do not worry, Caran," Legolas soothed. "All will be well for you, if it is in my power to make it so." He kissed her forehead softly and Eilish felt the last of the tension seep away. A short time later she slept. -red-
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Late in the afternoon the group set out again. Their path took them into the shadows of the trees and the Elves uncovered the lamps they carried. Finally they came into the open again, under a darkening evening sky, scattered with a few tiny stars.
Predominate in their sight now was a great wall ringing a green hill covered in mallorn trees taller than any of the ones they had seem before. In among the branches were shining green, silver and gold lights, too many to count.
"Welcome to Caras Galadhon!" Haldir announced. "Here is the city of the Galadhrim where dwell the Lord Celeborn and Galadriel the Lady of Lorien."
Haldir continued, telling the group that they must walk around the city for the gates faced only south.
There was a white stone paved road running along the outside of the wall and there they walked, as the sky darkened and more stars and tree lights lit the sky.
Finally they reached the gates of the city. Haldir knocked and spoke. The gates opened silently, seemingly of their own accord. The group entered and the gates closed behind them. Soon they were in the City of the Trees. There were many voices around and above them, but no one to be seen. They went along paths and up many stairs until they reached a wide lawn with a shimmering fountain in its center.
On the south side of the lawn there was a huge mallorn, the largest in the city. There was a large ladder next to the tree and three elves sat at its foot.
"Here dwell Celeborn and Galadriel," Haldir said. "It is their wish that you should ascend and speak with them."
"I will go first," Haldir said. "Let Frodo come next and with him Legolas."
Eilish clung to Legolas' hand nervously and she shot a glance at Haldir.
"Aye, you as well, hiril-nin," He said with a smile. "The others may follow as they wish. It is a long climb for those that are not accustomed to such stairs, but you may rest upon the way." -my lady-
As the four climbed up they passed many levels of flets. Finally they reached a large talan far above the ground. It was as large as a school gymnasium, with a large house built on it. The three Fellowship members followed Haldir inside and got their first look at the Lord and Lady of Lothlorien. They were both clad in white and both stood to greet their guests.
Celeborn greeted each of the group by name as they came in to the hall. "Welcome, son of Thranduil! Too seldom do my kindred journey hither from the North." He said to Legolas.
"Lady Eilish," He greeted her, studying her for several moments.
When the group was seated before them, Celeborn spoke again. "Here there are nine. Ten were to set out, so said the messages."
"Alas!" Aragorn said. "Gandalf the Grey fell into Shadow. He remained in Moria and did not escape." At this all the elves in the hall gasped in shock and grief.
"Our grief is great and our loss cannot be mended," Frodo said. "Gandalf was our guide, and he led us through Moria, and when our escape seemed beyond hope he saved us, and he fell."
Aragorn soberly recounted the whole tale of their journey, from Caradhras to Moria, including their encounter with the Balrog.
"It was a Balrog of Morgoth," Legolas said, "of all the elf-banes the most deadly, save the One who sits in the Dark Tower."
The group spoke for a long while of the quest and the need to remain true to their goal. Galadriel looked on each of them then, silently searching. She looked last at Eilish and when she was done she spoke, "I would speak with you again, Eilish of Canada, but rest for a time. I will send for you."
She turned and addressed the whole company. "Do not let yourselves be troubled, tonight you shall sleep in peace."
"Go now!" Celeborn said. "You are weary with sorrow and much toil. Even if your Quest did not concern us closely, you should have refuge in this City, until you were healed and refreshed. Now you shall rest, and we will not speak of your further road for a while."
The Fellowship spent the night on the ground, much to the relief of the hobbits, on soft couches laid out by the Elves. Eilish stretched out next to Legolas and almost immediately fell into a deep sleep.