Chapter 37: Attraction for Distraction
"I think we will make camp here, my good elves." Gandalf said to Giselle's guards. They had all met or seen Gandalf in their forest or in the palace at one point in their lives, and knew that what he asked of them was most likely for the best.
As the guards unpacked the horses, scouted for game, and went through the routines of camp life, Giselle just stood staring at her mother. She had not seen her since she was six but there was no mistaking how much of a resemblance there was between them.
Her mother looked away, uncomfortable with her daughters stare. Her mother had aged, certainly. She no longer had dark ebony hair, it was now gray. Her bright green eyes were no longer bright, but faded. Her once unmarred skin was now home to wrinkles and old age. She looked to be in her early sixties. Time had changed her mother, but she still was familiar.
It felt odd, to see an aged person. For over 50 years she had spent her time among elves, ageless, unmarred by time. The only person who she had seen aged was Gandalf. She felt a hand on her back.
"Lets sit down Giselle; there is much to be discussed." It was Gandalf. Numbly she let him lead her to a spot on the ground. Her mother followed. Why was this happening? How could it happen? Was her life too peaceful and joyful for the gods, so they had to stir it up and throw in twists she did not want? Must her life always be some dramatic storybook?
They sat down a little away from the guards. Gandalf took his sweet time taking out his pipe and lighting it. He then took several minutes to just enjoy his past time and make smoke rings. Giselle stared at Gandalf for she couldn't stare at her mother, and her mother fidgeted with her cloak and stole glances at her daughter.
"Gandalf, can we please get on with this?" Giselle said sharply.
Gandalf studied her calmly. "Very well." He blew a smoke ring. "My wanderings of this world have brought me once again to the country of Gondor." Giselle nodded. Gandalf continued, "During my stay there I met your mother. The meeting was quite by chance…" Gandalf looked over at her mother and her mother returned the glance. Giselle looked between the two and wondered what was going on between them.
"Anyway… there was something different about Clara like there was about you and your siblings. She certainly blended in with the people of Gondor but she certainly stood out in her own way. I became curious and a friendship formed between us.
"Eventually your mother opened up to me and told me her past and how she has been in Gondor- in Middle Earth- for over 50 years. She then proceeded to tell me of her dreams, or visions. It was then that I made the connection between Clara and yourself and I told her about Lyric, Guy and you. She wants to meet you, Giselle, so I volunteered in journeying with her."
"This can't be happening." Giselle said more to herself then to the others.
"But it is," Gandalf replied gently.
"I don't want it to!" Giselle said in a panicked voice, her eyes wide. The part of her mind that was rational was telling her that she was blowing this completely out of proportion and that she should stop acting like a spoilt child, calm down and listen to what Gandalf and her mother had to say before speaking.
But Giselle's rational mind was soon unheard in the situation. "You abandon me, with out so much of a goodbye, an 'I love you' and you expect that just because we're in Middle-Earth now that I'll forget everything and just be all friendly?" Giselle was clearly panicking now. "Well it's not going to happen. It can't happen."
Clara bent her head down and didn't say anything and Gandalf spent several or so minutes calming Giselle enough to listen to what else he had to say.
"So you're immortal now, hmm?" Giselle asked her mother in a forced calm voice.
"Yes," Clara told her.
"And you've been in Gondor this entire time?" Clara nodded and Giselle fell back into silence.
A moment or two Clara spoke. "I didn't expect any hugging and sorts from you Giselle. I know you want nothing to do with me and seeing me here has probably upset you. But you're my daughter and I want to see you again."
Giselle glared at her and opened her mouth, about to speak, but closed it and shook her head. "Excuse me," she said to Gandalf before she got up and made her way to the camp her guards had set up.
Clara tilted her head to her chest and sighed. "Give her time." Gandalf said gently. "This is a huge surprise to her and she needs time coping. Besides, I think she is taking this fairly well." Clara brought her gaze to the wizard and stared at him.
Legolas knocked on the door to his fathers study. "Come in," Thranduil called from inside.
"Adar, I was wondering if you would send me on patrol." Thranduil raised an eyebrow. "It's been a while since I was on one last, and it is my duty as Prince. Besides, I need a distraction from the wedding and Giselle. A patrol would be most suitable."
Thranduil studied his son for a long moment. He knew just how it felt to wait the customary year before reuniting with his love. "If it would please you, I need you to attend a meeting with the men of Lake Town in three days time and after that you may join the southern patrol."
Legolas nodded, relieved. "Aye, it would please me." He turned to leave.
"And Legolas," Thranduil called, leaning back into his chair.
Legolas turned back. "Yes?"
"Elladan and Elrohir will be accompanying you."
"Father, I think I can take care of myself." He gave a small smile. "I don't need a babysitter. Besides I'm sure the twins have other things to attend to rather than tag along with me."
Thranduil waved a hand carelessly and suppressed a grin. "Nonsense. I have already spoken to them on such matters. They'd be delighted to roam the forest of Mirkwood." Thranduil said in a firm voice that left no room for arguments.
Legolas nodded. "Of course, adar, is that all?" Thranduil nodded and Legolas bowed before leaving the room.
He knew what his father was up to. Thranduil didn't think that Legolas would be in the appropriate state of focusing, that patrolling and consulting would require. He was focused, just on Giselle, and his upcoming wedding… and what he would do to Giselle once he saw her again. He sighed. She was almost to Lothlorien by now, if there were no delays.
He sighed again, hating to admit that having the twins accompany him was probably a very good thing.
"We've just been informed, Legolas," Elladan called, coming in stride with Legolas.
"That we are to be accompanying you to this town of men and your southern border patrol." Elrohir finished, coming in stride on Legolas' other side.
"Correct." Legolas told them, not bothering to ask how they could have found out so quickly.
"When do we depart?" Elrohir asked.
"Tomorrow morning." Legolas answered.
"Excellent." Elladan remarked. They rounded a turn in the corridor and were on the straight path to the main hall now. "Cheer up, Legolas!" Elladan continued. "There's only, say, eleven months left until the most eligible bachelor in the wood becomes married."
"I've never known the time to be taken in so critically than at this time." Leglolas remarked.
Elrohir patted Legolas' back not unkindly. He and his brother then left after telling Legolas that they would prepare for tomorrows journey before the evening meal that night.
The next morning Thranduil and Legolas stood a little ways out of the courtyard while Elrohir and Elladan and two other guards prepared the horses and counted and recounted the number supplies they had brought with them.
Thranduil told Legolas that the council would discuss such matters of trespassing into the dangerous forest and the increasing prices of wine. Legolas nodded grimly. It was nothing hugely important, almost trivial, as Legolas saw it, but it would do.
Legolas bid his father good bye before mounting his horse and leading his company over the bridge of the stronghold and onto the path that wound into the gathering darkness.
"Do you think we will battle spiders, Legolas?" Elladan asked as he and his brother brought their horses into a trot with Legolas'.
"It's possible, but the spiders rarely venture this close to the stronghold, they are deeper in the wood. And no, we will be following this path and not venturing into the forest and deeper." Legolas said before the twins could say anything.
"Well you know Legolas, when we accompany you to the southern patrol we will most likely encounter spiders."
Legolas raised an eyebrow. "Ah, you know my forest so well." He said sarcastically. "Yes, we will encounter spiders the further south we get but on this journey it is unlikely." He paused. "Why are you interested all the sudden? It is not as if you've never seen Mirkwood's spiders before."
"True," Elladan said, nodding his head. "But Legolas your forest holds all the lovely creatures that add to the appeal-"
"Appeal?" Legolas cut in, eyebrow raised higher.
"Certainly." Elladan replied. Legolas shook his head. They were always looking for the creatures of evil to kill. Not that he was complaining. If the twins of Elrond wanted to help rid his home of orcs and spiders—he wasn't going to stop them. It was just the way they went about it. He mentally shook his head again. He was lying to himself. Sure the twins tended to irritate him now and then but they were a source of entertainment he was pretty glad of. Not to mention their skill with weapons.
The journey to Lake Town took a full day on horseback. They arrived sometime in the night and the guards only had need to look at them in a fleeting way before standing to attention and letting them through.
Legolas nodded towards them in greeting before leading his horse into the town. Aside from the usual nightly sounds, all that could be heard were the hoof beats on dirt changing occasionally to cobblestone.
When the elven party entered a courtyard by a splendid house used by guests of the leaders of Lake Town, they were greeted by a stout man waiting for them on the steps holding a lantern. Judging by the attire he wore, it was obvious that he had been woken up and informed of the arrival of the elves. He waited for the elves to dismount before bowing low and welcoming them.
Legolas bowed his head in thanks. "Come, let me show you to your quarters." The man said.
Legolas bowed his head again and said, "Might we use a stable before retiring for the night?"
The man grimaced and said, "Of course! Forgive me, your highness." He scurried to the stable doors on the right of the courtyard and unlocked them. He apologized once more for forgetting their steeds and Legolas assured him that he was forgiven and no harm was done.
Once the horses had been settled they followed the man into the building and to where their chambers were. Legolas noted idly that his room was situated between Elladan's and Elrohir's room, and on either side of them were the two guards that accompanied them.
"Sleep well, princling." The twins chorused in a motherly tone of voice.
"Now, now. This is no time to be getting broody." With that he entered his room and closed the door, still hearing the snickering of the sons of Elrond as they retired to their own rooms.