THE FORGOTTEN
Whispers, Waiting, and Weddings
Authors note: Ah, how interesting, waiting! WOOHOO! Ack, don't judge a chapter by it's title. Or maybe you should, I have no idea how this chapter is going to turn out. A new idea came to me this morning (June 18, 2005) and I decided to put it in. This may be a long chapter. I hope you all enjoy! NOT EDITED!
It was the afternoon of June the seventeenth, Shire reckoning, when a royal entourage came to the gates of Minas Tirith. Aragorn saw the procession approaching and guessed it was King Thranduil of Mirkwood, or as it was recently renamed, Eryn Lasgalen. He waited for the elven king to arrive at the seventh citadel.
"Greetings King Thranduil!" Aragorn said with a bow.
"Greetings King Elessar!" Thranduil said back. "It is good to see you again. You look much better than last time I saw you," he joked.
Aragorn laughed at the jest and said, "I sent for your son when I saw you reach my gates, but he has not come yet. I would suppose he is off somewhere with Lothril."
"I have heard about those two. They wrote me about it actually, when they were in Lothlorien. Neither one went into great detail, but it seems that Lothril has had quite an experience."
"She has. She is not the same human girl you met last August and I met last October."
"So you know the whole tale?" Thranduil said.
"Yes, but I think you should hear it from Lothril. She is getting quite good at telling her tale," Aragorn smiled. "I think she has told it a dozen times in the last few weeks."
Just then Legolas and Lothril came walking up.
"Father!" Legolas exclaimed when he saw him. "It is good to see you again!" He rushed towards his father and gave him a huge hug. Lothril stood a little ways off with a small grin upon her face.
"I have missed you son! You must tell me what all has happened since you left Lothlorien, but first," Thranduil said turning to Lothril, "My future daughter-in-law should come here and not stand there like a beggar at my gates!"
Lothril's smile broadened as she walked up to elven king. "It is good to see you again king." Once with in reach he gave her a hug as well, obviously over joyed at the upcoming union.
"Now tell me your story Lothril, Aragorn says it is a good one," Thranduil said with a smile.
Lothril nodded and began retelling her tale, she had indeed become quite good at it. She tried to skim over some of her deeds, but was interrupted by Aragorn and Legolas and told to put it back in. By the end of her tale, Thranduil was quite impressed by the elf maid and wondered how it could be the same small human girl had changed and done so much.
"Lady Lothril," Thranduil said. "You have done great deeds, worthy of respect and honor amongst elves, dwarves, and men. If you were not going to marry my son, I would make you a lady of Eryn Lasgalen." then he bowed his head to her. "You have been a large part of Sauron's downfall, and for that, all of Middle-earth owes you their undying gratitude."
Lothril blushed many shades of red, but did not argue with him. At last she saw what Elrond meant by do not seek great deeds to do or avoid. At last she saw that the books would never had been written, and things would not be as they are if she had not been there. All the "chance" and "good fortune" that may have been attributed to the Valar, was her. Frodo would not have made it to Mount Orodruin if it was not for her. The Grey Company would have gone mad if she had not been there. Legolas would have died, hope may have been lost, the world might be in ruin, if she had not been there. She had done much of the unmentioned work that brought all of this about. At last she understood why she had been brought there. Not just to become half elf and half maia, not just to meet Legolas, but to help save Middle-earth. It was a very humbling thought. She had been used by the Valar. She stood dumbfounded as all of these thoughts raced through her head. Eventually she spoke.
"No, it was not me. I am just a servant, that was willing to be useful," she humbly said and blushed even deeper red. Suddenly, she realized that was the mind-set of all true, great hero's, when it came right down to it, and she had been beaten to that conclusion by Samwise Gamgee.
"Very true Lothril," Thranduil said at last. "You are wise beyond your remembered years."
"Oh please stop! I shall turn as red as a rose if you do not quit saying such things oh King," she said. Laughter was teasingly near her.
The whole party went to their rooms laughing and singing like elflings. Legolas was glad to see his part of his wardrobe being taken to his room behind him.
Later that evening Legolas introduced his father to the entire Fellowship. Thranduil was not particularly pleased about his son having a dwarf for a friend, but once he saw that Gimli was friends with Lothril as well, and she spoke eloquently on his behalf, he said he was welcomed in his halls, as long as Legolas and, or, Lothril was there. Thranduil bowed low to Frodo and Sam when he learned what they had done, and made inquiries as to how Bilbo was doing when he learned Frodo was his nephew.
That night, after all were asleep, Legolas and Lothril sneaked out of their rooms and into Aragorn's. The plan was about to be executed as originally planned. Lothril, with all elven care, crept up to Aragorn's bed and made him sleep deep. Then, she crawled next to him and began weaving a dream with all manner of madness and chaos in it. Once satisfied with her work, she crept back to where Legolas was standing, outside the room, and said, "Now, let us go to sleep and in the morning hear the fruits of our scheming."
The next morning, several months of planning and plotting was about to be revealed. The three were gathered together that breakfast with Mithrandir and Aragorn began his the tale of strange dream.
"I dreamt that I was standing in a field and before me there rode Arwen upon a strange, small, striped horse with a short bristly mane. Then after her came a large creature, of which I have never seen its equal. It jumped upon its great hind legs and had a large tale and a smaller creature of the same kind in a pocket on its stomach. After that creature, was a lady in a sheer, bright pink skirt that stuck straight out. Upon her feet were strange slippers, and she wore pink tights. Her arms were bare, and her hair was in a tight knot upon her head. She was posed in a very strange position. Both of her arms formed a circle above her head, she was standing on one leg, and her other leg was extended straight back. She seemed not to move on her own, but seemed as if she was being towed by something. After her was the scariest image of all. There was a tall figure wearing a very bright, many colored, baggy outfit. His hair was an unnatural bright green. His skin was white and his nose was large, round, and red. Upon his face were painted a blue triangle, a yellow circle, and a green square. His lips were thick, red, and had black lines drawn to make it appear that he was smiling. His feet were enormous and red shoed."
Legolas looked at Lothril who was on the verge of a giggle-fit, while Gandalf was asking, "What strange war paint is that?"
"There was more. After that strange scary image, I was taken to Rivendell and over heard a conversation between Elrond and Glorfindel. Elrond said, 'Hey Glorfy! Wazzup'?' while his tongue lolled out of his mouth. Glorfindel yelled, 'Do NOT call me Glorfy! I hate that name!' Then Elrond and Glorfindel came out from around a corner and Glorfindel was still enraged. He drew his sword, and Elrond drew his, only, they were not swords. They were colored rods of light. Elrond's was green and Glorfindel's was blue. They made a strange buzzing/humming noise. I never heard such a sound before! Suddenly Glorfindel said in a strange voice, 'Elrond, Elrond, I am your father!' Then Elrond cried out, 'NOOO!' Suddenly an ugly green creature in a coarse brown robe came up and said, 'Been growing in my mind, a shadow and threat has been!' in a high pitched frog like voice. Then he left. At that green creature's departure, Elrond and Glorfindel looped arms and... began skipping in circles. After that there was a white flash of light and in it as the word HEARTBURN, then I awoke. What do you think of it?"
Lothril lost control and began laughing hysterically. Between laughs she tried to speak, but to minimal avail. "Le..Lego..las... put...meup...you should see you...r faaaaace!"
"What is she trying to say?" Aragorn asked. Legolas proceeded to explain all that had gone on and told that the idea to do that dream was what he whispered to her in Rohan in their fields. "I think I would have been better off not knowing what you two had whispered," Aragorn said once the explanation was over. "You are a wicked elf Legolas!"
Legolas began to laugh and both the elves laughed all the way out of breakfast. Aragorn thought the whole thing bizarre and wondered why, or how, they could have ever conceived the idea for such a thing.
A few days later Aragorn and Gandalf went in hunt of the White Tree, and the hobbits decided to pester Lothril.
"Good mornin' Lothril!" Pippin cheerily greeted.
"Good morning Pippin," Lothril replied. "And good morning Merry, Sam, and Frodo."
"Good morning," they all said at the same time.
"So, Lothril, how are you doing?" Merry asked.
"Very well Master Merry," she said. Something was up. Four hobbits with four stupid grins, standing in a semi-circle seeming over-cheery and over interested in how she was doing. "Alright you four, I have not known you this long to not realize that you four have something on your mind or up your sleeve, so cut to the chase," she said hiding a grin.
"Very well Lady Lothril," Sam said. He was turning red. "Well, we all know that you and Legolas are in love and all, and well, we all are wonderin' when you two are gonna get married. If we can, we want to be there. You both doing so much for us all and everything."
She broke into a sweet laughter. "You four! I wasn't going to tell anyone I did not have to til just before, but I suppose I can tell you. We are going to get married sometime after midyear's day. I'm not sure just when, but soon after."
"Oh good! So we shall be able to be there!" Pippin said.
"Yes. We decided to get married before I left."
"Good! Because we might not have been able to be there if you waited until you got back!" Merry said.
"Anything else do you four wish to know?" Lothril asked.
"What is it like in Valinor?" Sam asked.
The question caught her off guard. She shrugged slightly and said, "Well, I didn't see all of it you know, but I will tell you all I can."
The five sat down and she began telling all about Valinor. She recalled the cities she saw and the forests and streams and told of the Valar and Maia that she met and what was said between them. Frodo listened with keen interest. Often she would look at him, she could tell that he knew he would end up there sooner than later.
"Lothril, do you think that Elbereth would turn someone away, just because they were not an elf?"
"They did not turn away Earendil."
"Do you think they would run from someone who was not an elf that came there?"
"No Frodo. They would not run away," she said. Then added mentally, "They would not run away from you. You they would welcome. Ignore those horrible dreams."
"How did you know of them?" he said out loud.
"I know many things Frodo. Remember, while I am in Middle-earth, you are not alone."
The other three looked at those two with wonder. What were those two talking about. They would figure that out soon enough.
"Lothril, how did you do so much in only two and a half days? It seems like you were there for years," Sam said.
Lothril thought a moment then answered. "Time in Valinor does not run the same as time here."
"Like Lothlorien?" Sam asked.
"No, not quite." This question caused Lothril to begin to wonder just how time in Valinor ran in comparison to time elsewhere.
On the first day of Lithe, Arwen arrived in Minas Tirith, and Aragorn, Gandalf, Thranduil, Legolas, and Lothril were there to greet her. Amongst her entourage was Elrond, Elladan, Elrohir, Glorfindel, Erestor, and many of Imladris. After them came the Lady Galadriel, Lord Celeborn, and many of that land, along with Haldir. It was a merry throng that entered the city and Lothril was more than glad to see many of the elves she had befriended in both places, and, in the back of her mind, to see her dresses again. The host went into the city, and on Midsummer's Day Aragorn and Arwen were finally wed.
After the wedding, many of the elves were paying off the bets they had made. During the feasting and celebrating under the stars, and in light of torches, Elrond came up to Legolas and Lothril.
"How many days do you two wish to wait?" Elrond asked.
They looked at each other. Lothril thought a moment then she said, "Tomorrow could work."
"Very well," Elrond said. He half turned, then he looked back at them both and said, "This is the strangest tale of love I have ever seen or heard, and this wedding is perhaps the strangest and most unorganized thing I have ever seen. Save that game Lothril coordinated in Imladris last October." Elrond was grinning.
"My family and friends have always said I was strange. Why should I stop being so now?" Lothril grinned.
Elrond gave a short laugh and turned back into the crowd. More than one elf came up to them that night and asked if they were invited, whenever it was. Towards the end of the night Legolas made his way to Aragorn, and told when everything was going to occur. Aragorn nodded, smiled, and congratulated him.
That night Lothril crept out before most everyone else did and went to her room. She looked out at everyone dancing and singing, and occasionally caught glimpses of Aragorn and Arwen. She thought about what had gone on once more, and wondered if Legolas was somehow her reward for what she had done. No, that wasn't it. Was it? Whatever it was, it was fortunate and she was glad beyond all comprehension and words. There was no word in any language to describe her joy. She smiled contentedly and laid down upon her bed and went to sleep.
By the time Legolas missed her, it was quite late. He headed off to bed, but before entering his room, he softly knocked on her door. She did not answer, so he carefully opened the door and went in. There she was, sound asleep. He walked over to her bed and knelt beside her. He looked at her, for however long, and caressed her face. "Le melon Lothril," he said. He kissed her lips and left the room.
The next morning Lothril woke early, so did everyone that was willing to help prepare for their "small" wedding. Late afternoon came and everything was set. The two were married in the throne room, which was packed with four hobbits, one dwarf, and nearly one hundred elves. So much for a small wedding. When Elrond finally pronounced them married, cheers broke out and Sam blushed as they kissed. Legolas and Lothril were both overjoyed. After a feast and dancing til dawn, the two finally collapsed into bed and fell asleep, for an early morning nap.
Authors note: Ok, all for this chapter! Just kidding! Do you really think I would let their wedding be so unromantic? HA! As much as I get queasy at my own fluffiness, at times, I will be a little fluffy for their wedding. Nothing disgusting or detailed! Worry not! Ok, I'll shut up so you can keep reading.
That day they spent socializing at getting gifts and thanking everyone that they had met and had traveled with and so forth. Finally, the day ended and the sun set, and the two headed back to their room. Finally!
"So my wife, how are you?" Legolas asked her, a very mischievous grin on his face.
"Tired my love. But I would be better if that gleam left your eyes. Please, I am tired, as horrible as it is, I just want to sleep."
"If you do, you shall have to suffer the consequences!" he jested.
"Ah, pity," she said as she took off her jewelry. "Can you help me with this necklace?" she asked.
He unclasped it and she put it in the box on the shelf. She changed into her nightgown and would have flung herself on the bed if Legolas hadn't insisted on laying her in it, which he did, while she made a comment about him being a hopeless romantic.
Legolas took off his circlet and his cloak and changed into his night-robe and crawled in bed next to Lothril.
"Now, you must suffer the consequences!" Legolas whispered. Faux maliciousness was in his voice.
"What are you going to do?" Lothril asked. Her eyes growing wide, a smile creeping across her face.
Legolas crept closer, she backed away. Soon she was on the edge of the bed and he began to tickle her.
"Noo! NOOOO!" she laughed. "Stop it! Oh stop! You're horrible!" she screamed with laughter. She began laughing so hard that tears came to her eyes. "Curse the day you ever discovered I was ticklish! Oh stop!" she laughed. His fingers ran across her scar and he stopped short. He traced it through her clothes. "It's a raised scar. It looks horrible," she said, her voice yet laced with laughter.
"It doesn't hurt anymore, does it?" he asked.
"No. It is completely healed. I am fortunate to have survived the war with only this for a scar."
"I agree, but I am more fortunate to have come through it with you," he said just before he kissed her, and his arms wrapped softly around her.
Authors note: Okay, this one is real this time! I really am done with this chapter! I hope you enjoyed it! I thought this chapter a little strange myself. Hope the dream wasn't a let down, or too scary/psychotic. As always, review!